“And five, six, seven, eight, one, two, three, four, kick and slide, turn and lift—no, no cut the music. Nick for the hundredth time today, use your whole body to lift Alexis’, she needs to be much higher than you’re lifting her.”

“I’m sorry Fatima, I’m trying, and I just can’t seem to hit the right count.” Nick wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and shook his head.

“It’s okay Nicky, we just have to get you to stop eating Micky D’s and everything else and go and lift more than just these beautiful ladies!” A.J. grinned picking up Diana and spinning her around.

“Aw leave Nick alone Bone’s he hasn’t touched McDonald’s in forever.”

“Okay guys we just have to finish this last song. I did not come all the way from Florida to Texas to hear you act like five year olds.”

“Hey when are we getting that new dancer? She’s sort of the reason why we’re having these double practices,since the last one dropping out,” Howie asked.

“She’ll be here tonight for our last practice. Don’t worry she already knows all of the dance moves, she will just have to rehearse—“

“Actually I can rehearse with you now.” I walked in, my long blonde hair pulled into a messy bun. I was sporting a pair of black capri pants, a white and silver tank top and had my dance bag over my shoulder.

“Hailey you weren’t supposed to be here until five tonight!?”

“I know Tima but I was able to catch an earlier flight,” I smiled brightly giving Fatima a hug.

“Okay introductions real quick than we’ll finish this last song…that looks like will take us another hour. Everyone this is Hailey James you can get to know her all tour long. Hailey this is Kevin, Brian, Amber, and Teal. And Katie, A.J., Nick, Howie, and Trista are over there. Alright, now back to the top of ‘Beautiful Woman’.”

There was a chorus of groans and sighs but everyone quickly got into their places. I sat in a straddle position next to the mirrors, stretching while everyone began to dance. I remembered thankfully each part that would come next from the videos Fatima had sent me to study the last two days. The guys looked great up to the point of the lift. Each of the guys was able to lift their partner, from her waist, all except for Nick.

“Cut the music,” Fatima’s voice dragged out and she rubbed her temples with her long finger tips. “Okay, we tried switching up the partners maybe we should take this part out.”

“No way this part looks so cool…if we could all do it right,” Teale exclaimed putting her hands on her hips.

“Fatima let me try being Nick’s partner, do you mind?” I asked standing up and walking to the group.

“Not at all, we’ll try this one last time if it doesn’t work I’m cutting it. Okay, so now Amber go ahead with Kevin and Hailey with Nick. At the top.” The music started and the boys followed us girls as we walked to the front, more or less shaking our hips as hard as we could. It came to the part of the song for the lift and I got to my position.

“B is for beautiful as the sunrise…” The speakers blared out the song and up came the lift.

“Nick trust me, let me do the work and you lift with your legs.” Nick nodded; a piece of his yellow blonde hair fell in front of his eyes, his eyes that showed he was nervous. I gave him a half smile and as his hands around my waist, I pushed off the ground with my one leg. Nick used his legs to get me up and tightened my body as I was lifted above his head. I couldn’t help but notice the huge grin Nick gave when it was time to spin me down. The song came to a finish and everyone began to praise Nick for finally getting the step down.

I took a step back to take everyone in and knew right away that this was going to be one of the best tours I’ve been on.

Fatima had us run through the song one more time to make sure Nick got the lift without any problem and of course he did just fine. I couldn’t help but notice the glares I would get from the red head, Amber. She looked strangely familiar but I could not place where I have seen here before. I assumed that I had probably seen her just as another dancer from some group and brushed off the weird vibe I was getting. Now that I think about it, I should have gone with my gut instinct.

“Hey thank you for helping out with that lift. I kept trying I just couldn’t seem to get it,” Nick came up to me as I was taking a drink from my water bottle.

“Not a problem Doll. Sometimes, it’s your partner and not you. I think that when you dance with someone, like in any relationships, there has to be something that sparks between the two of you. You really are a good dancer; you just needed your other half.” I winked to him and closed my water bottle. Nick looked as though he were about to ask me a question but closed his mouth and gave me a half confused smile.

“So, what’s the scoop with this whole tour thing? All I was told was that your last dancer decided she couldn’t do this or something? I was called, sent some video’s to learn in two days, while I finished up my job and then flown out here. Your tour starts in two days?”

“Yeah, that’s about the jest of it. So, you know Fatima pretty well?” Nick asked me as we started walking out of the dance hall.

“Pretty well yeah. I met her oh gosh, I think it was six years ago at a dance clinic. Right about when I started dancing.”

“You have only been dancing for six years and you’re that good at it? Most of our dancers have been dancing their whole lives.”

“Well, I had some background sorta in it when I first started, I had the flexibility down cold and jumps and leaps were never a problem.”

“What were you a gymnast or something before dancing?”

“Actually yes…I was,” I stated slowly. “But now I dance and will always dance!” I said out loud in a crazy French accent, taking Nick’s hand into mine and spinning around down the hall. We laughed as we made it outside. Everyone else had either left or was waiting outside talking.

“Hi, I’m Brian, your name is Hailey right?” Brian reached out to shake my hand. I took it and nodded my head. “Thank you for saving Nick’s butt, someone usually has to, but none of us guys could really fix his lifting problem in there today.”

“Not a problem, it usually just takes someone with talent like mine!” I joked and we laughed. “So, tour starts in two days here in Texas. What will do for fun tonight?” I asked.

“Probably relax around the Hotel. Do some swimming, some eating. We can usually get the pool for just us late at night. We should do that so we can get to know everyone.”

“Sounds fun. All my stuff was taken to the Hotel already; I hope it all makes it there.”

“I wouldn’t worry; we’re all taken care of rather well.” Brian smiled. “I couldn’t help but notice you have a tad of southern in your voice. Where are you from?”

“South Carolina. Born and raised.” I said proudly. The three us continued to talk as we got into a van and went to the hotel. We all made plans for swimming at 11 o’clock at night and dinner at seven.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~At the Dining Room*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There were about 15 of us that are on the tour and went to have dinner tonight. There were the boys, us five dancers, A.J. brought his girlfriend, and then there were some other important people and of course Fatima. I found myself becoming friends with Nick rather fast and as well as with Katie. I sat next to Katie and across from Nick and Fatima sat on the other side of me. These were the people we talked to the most because our table was so large, we could not exactly scream across.

“I think its dead Nick.” I laughed taking a bite from my salad.

“Huh?” Nick looked up confused.

“Your chicken, I think its dead hon. You’ve been stabbing it with your fork since you got it. Aren’t you hungry?”

“Nicky’s always hungry, he’s probably just making sure its tender,” Brian laughed drinking from his water glass.

“Actually, I think I’m going up to my room. I’m not feeling that well. Excuse me.” Nick placed his napkin on his plate and got up from the table. I looked at Brian confused and he only shrugged.

“You want him.” Katie giggled taking a bite of her salmon. I choked on my water I had just taken a sip of and Fatima slapped my back.

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“She’s right girl. You’ve been eyeing him all night. Whether you realized it or not, you were eyeing. He’s single you know, the only one of the group I think.”

“No, he’s cute and all but there seems something about him that doesn’t seem right from what you told me Tima.” Yeah Nick Carter is sexy and I would be crazy not to think so but there was something else that was drawing me to him.

“Maybe he’s coming down with something. You studied to be a nurse you should go check and make sure he’s okay later. And I mean that sincerely. Oh girl, I’m so glad you could do this tour. I didn’t think you would actually come since you wouldn’t come to try outs.”

“I have a job you know.”

“Yes, but this is the more fun job that will pay you a bit more for less hours.”

“Amen to that.” I laughed but my mind soon went back to Nick.

“Hey Hales, do you know Amber?” Katie asked.

“Ya know, she seems familiar, but I really don’t think I know her. Why?”

“Well, she’s been staring you down like you were a piece of meat for the past twenty minutes.” I looked up and down at the other end of the table, Amber’s eyes pierced through my skin a brief second and she looked back down to her meal. My stomach knotted up for some strange reason but again, I ignored the uneasiness I felt.

“Maybe she’s a lesbian and just thinks I am hot!” Katie and I laughed and all of us finished our meals. I had Nick’s chicken wrapped up and I decided that I would bring it up to his room.

I knocked on room 302, the number that Brian had given me with a plastic bag in one hand and a first aid kit in the other. Nick came to the door. He had changed from his navy blue suit and baby blue shirt, to his North Carolina sweat pants and a white t-shirt.

“Hey you,” I smiled.

“Hi, I wasn’t expecting anyone to come over.”

“Oh, I know. I thought I would check and see how you were feeling. I brought the rest of your dinner in case you get hungry…and I’m sorry but I’m nurse so I have to check your stats,” I said the last part in a serious tone, trying not to laugh.

“Well, nurse Hailey please come on in,” Nick held the door open for me and we went over to his bed. The TV was on and “Bruce Almighty” was playing.

“I love this movie!” I exclaimed and opened the first aid kit. “Okay, just checking your temp. Open up,” I held the thermometer in front of his face and stuck it under his tongue when he opened his mouth. I put my hand on his forehead a second and looked him over. “You don’t feel warm, but I could be wrong. My hands are cold in the extreme heat.” A minute later I took out the thermometer and read it. “Normal, does your stomach hurt?” I looked at Nick and he rolled to his side facing the television.

“Nick?”

“Look, I’m fine. Why don’t you go get ready and have fun with the others? It’s almost ten and time for the pool. Thank you for coming to check on me, that was sweet.” Nick’s eyes didn’t come off of the screen.

“Alright well just get some sleep; we have a full day of dress rehearsal tomorrow. I know we just met and all but I am only two doors down from you, 304, so if you need anything…”

“Thank you.” I nodded my head and went to my room to get my suit on. My mind kept thinking of Nick. I knew that something else was wrong and only could hope that he would talk to me…or at least someone else. I had just finished tying the top of my white bikini when I heard a knock on my door. I quickly walked over to the door, thinking it was Nick and opened it.

“Katie hi. What’s up?”

“C’mon play time! Grab your towel let’s go! Damn girl you have a long pair of legs, toned legs too if I don’t mind me saying.” I laughed and took my “Finding Nemo” towel out of my bag. “Nick’s going to like what he sees!”

“Nick isn’t coming, he’s still not feeling well I guess.”

“Oh, bummer, well Howie will be there and mmm he’s so fine. I get to see him with his shirt off!” Katie pretended to faint and fell into my arms.

“Okay, down girl.” The two of us went down to the pool to find the other guys and dancers already in and having fun.

“About time you two got here…now you both are too dry but I will take are of that,” Howie came up to us, and I saw Katie’s eyes look him up and down. I thought as though she would really pass out for real. Howie picked up Katie and jumped into the deep end of the pool with her in his arms. I smiled and felt happy for her. Maybe the two of them could start something this summer. I put my things down in a chair, as well as Katie’s and walked over to the steps of the shallow end.

“Okay time for us to act like teenagers and to play chicken!” A.J. announced and had his girlfriend Naomi get onto his shoulders. “Partner up!” He announced and we all tried to match up to one another.

“Hey how was Nick doing?” Brian asked swimming up to me.

“Oh, he seemed okay. I think his stomach might be upset or something. No fever or anything.”

“That’s good. I’ll have to check in on him before bed. He hasn’t been himself lately. But hey, hop onto my shoulders.” So, I did and could only think of how cute Brian was. Too bad that he was married and has a baby already. That is why his wife Leigh Anne couldn’t come on the tour because of their new baby boy.
Katie was on Howie’s shoulders, and Amber was on Kevin’s shoulders. Because were short one guy Teale got onto Trista’s shoulders. All four girls fought to knock the other off their partner’s shoulders and in the end it was Amber and I.

“Okay let’s see what you got,” I said playfully.

“Knock her down girl,” Brian told me and I grabbed onto Amber’s arms as she grabbed onto mine.
“Even if I win, it’s nothing compared to what you did to me,” Amber said almost in a whisper so that I was the only one could hear her.

“What does that mean?” I asked and before she answered I was pushed over with a hard shove. Brian lost his balance and fell backwards. It wouldn’t have been a bad fall, except for the fact we were too close to the edge of the pool. I felt my head hit the cement and then all was black.
~*~*~*~*~*~
“Careful don’t move her too much. Keep her head stable,” Kevin said taking charge. Brian held my head as A.J. and Kevin laid me on the ground.

“Hailes, come on wake up, we should get some help,” Brian looked up at his cousin. Just as Kevin stood up I opened my eyes.

“Hailey, can you hear me?” Brian asked.

“Yeah, what happened?” I started to sit up but Brian pushed my shoulders down.

“Don’t move you might have hurt your neck.”

“No, I’m okay. I have a rather excruciating headache but my neck is fine. I take it we didn’t win Bri?” I sat up slowly with Kevin’s help. Everyone laughed but still uneasily. “Seriously, I’m okay. Sorry to ruin the fun guys.”

“Oh thank goodness you’re okay. I feel so horrible, I didn’t know you were so close to the ledge,” Amber said with tears in her eyes. I raised my eyebrow at her remembering the last thing she had said to me.

“Come on let’s get you some ice. We aught to make sure you don’t have a concussion though. I’ll stay with you so you don’t fall asleep,” Katie held my hand and smiled at me. I stood up slowly with Katie and Brian’s help but the room began to spin and fade in and out. My knees buckled and my two new friends helped me before I fell onto them.

“Whoa there, easy now. Maybe we should take you to the hospital? Just to get you checked out.”

“Brian no, I’m fine, I’m a nurse you know. I just need to lay down with some ice.” He stared into my eyes for a minute to see if I was telling the truth and then nodded his head. Kevin wrapped a towel around me and gave Katie my things.

“Have Brian and Katie help you up to the room. We should all go get some sleep anyway; we have to rehearsal at nine am, at the dance studio down the street be there on time!” Kevin looked directly into A.J.s eyes as he told us.

“Hey, I am always on time.”
“Don’t worry I’ll get him there by 8:45 Kev,” Naomi put her arms around A.J.’s waist. We all walked to the elevators and waited to go up to our rooms.

“How’s the head?” Brian asked still having his arm around me for balance.

“Eh, I’ve hit it worse,” I shrugged my shoulders and we got onto the elevator. We walked down the hall only to find Nick walking out of his room with an ice bucket.

“Hey how was swimming?” He asked.

“Good up to the point this one got knocked unconscious,” Katie laughed a little. “Geeze ruining the fun already…I’m just teasing.”

“What happened, are you okay Hailey?” Nick looked at me with concern in his pools of blue.

“Yeah, just a friendly game of chicken turned into me falling back and hitting my head on the cement. I need to lay down though guys,” I said leaning back onto Brian. My eyes felt heavy and I just wanted to go to sleep.

“Nope, you’re staying awake for at least an hour; you so called nurse should know this. Nick, why don’t you come and get her ice bucket?” Katie asked.

“Yeah of course, I’ll fill mine up and just bring it over,” Nick took off quickly to the ice machine and I was taken to my room. I sat on my bed and Brian got me bottled water with two aspirin.

“Thank you,” I looked at the both of them.

“Okay, well, I am going to hit the sack. I’m across Nick’s room if you need anything. Sorry this had to happen the first day,” Brian said sweetly and sincerely.

“It’s okay, I had to make some entrance for you guys to get to know me, goodnight Bri,” he gave me a hug and walked out. Just as he walked out Nick came in with a bucket of ice.

“I’m going to go put my PJ’s on, which you should too. I’ll be back and I’ll just crash in here tonight to make sure you’re okay,” Katie told me and I told her “okay”. Nick had disappeared into the bathroom and came back with a towel full of ice.

“Where did you hit your head?” He asked me sitting on my bed. I pointed to the back of my head and he moved my hair back a bit. “Ouch, that’s a goose egg and you cut it open a bit.”

“Yeah, that figures,” I winced a little as Nick placed the ice on my head.
“Oh, sorry.”

“No, thank you for taking care of me,” I said looking up into his eyes.

“Well, you came and checked up on me. I had to return the favor…I just didn’t think it would be this soon,” he laughed a little. “Do you want me to get your PJ’s?”

“Actually, all my stuff is still in my suitcases,” I pointed to the bags on the floor. I bent down to unzip one but my head began to throb and I held my hand up to my head. “Ahh dammit.”


“Are you okay? Here sit back, I’ll unzip them and find you something,” Nick put my pillows up against my headboard and had me sit against them. He brought up one of my suit cases and looked into it. “Yeah, maybe you should do this tomorrow. Here how about a big T-shirt and boxers. I’ll be right back.” Before I could say anything Nick left my room and came back shortly with a white t-shirt and boxers. “They’re clean, trust me.”

“Sure they are,” I said sarcastically, placed the ice on my night stand and stood up. I went into the bathroom to change and when I came out Katie and Nick were talking. I walked in front of them, spun around and posed. “Well, how do they look?”

“Better on me,” Nick laughed.

“Hmm, I don’t know they seem to fit you just right, in that baggy, over sized way,” Katie said.

“Okay, I’m tired time for bed. I am fine, just come wake me up in the morning please. Katie go sleep in your own bed, I tend to sleep on top of the person I am with.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”

“Yes, thank you. Goodnight. I’m glad we’ve become friends so quickly,” I smiled to her and gave her a hug. “And thank you Nick, I hope to become closer friends with you through this tour,” I gave him a hug.

“I would like the same,” he smiled and the two exited the room.

We had been doing dress rehearsal for five hours now, mostly fixing the costumes and some sound checking with the boys but as far the dancing was going, it seemed to be running smoothly. My head still had the giant goose egg that only hurt when I touched it; but other than that I felt fine. I did however still felt this strange vibe around Amber and couldn’t help but not to trust her. It was three thirty when we were told we were good for the night and tomorrow would be a great open to the tour.

“Okay for everyone’s hard work, there is a buffet back stage by the trailers. Help yourselves to as much food as you want, and we will all be here tomorrow at 2 pm for sound check before the concert,” Graig one of the tour managers came out and spoke to all of us who were laying around on the stage exhausted.

“Mm, food time!” Katie jumped up from the ground.

“I’m too tired to eat,” Teale said as she slumped over Trista.

“I’m never too tired to eat, fella’s lets go,” A.J. said as him and Howie took off to get their food. Soon, everyone else began to follow and I saw Nick start to walk the opposite way. I got up off the ground and jogged over to him.

“Hey darling, where you going?”

“Back to the hotel.”

“Come get some food first silly.”

“Eh, not hungry.”

“Come on Nick, you didn’t eat breakfast with us and dinner last night. You need something for energy.” Nick stopped in his tracks and sighed. “Something’s wrong, what is it? Should I get Brian?”

“NO! I mean no, I’m fine thank you,” Nick turned and looked at me.

“Come with me, please?” I took his hand in mine without thinking and butterflies began to swim in my stomach.

“Alright, maybe a little something.” I smiled and he smiled back. We walked together to the buffet, still holding hands. It seemed natural for us to hold hands and I doubt either of us thought much about it. We walked up to the line, I handed Nick a plate and we started walking down the buffet. I put a spoonful of fruit on my plate and a handful of salad.

“Is that all you’re eating?” Nick asked me.

“Yeah, I’m not that big of an eater,” I told him.

“You only had a bagel for breakfast today though,” Nick looked at me questioningly.

“That’s a bagel more than you had! C’mon you.” Nick too put some fruit and salad on his plate and we each grabbed a water bottle. We went over to where Brian was sitting with Kevin, Fatima and some other people I weren’t sure who they were.

“Nick you still not feeling well?” Brian asked looking at Nick’s plate of food.

“Yeah, the stomach’s off a little still, I don’t want to over do it,” Nick didn’t look at Brian as he told his best friend this.

“And what’s your excuse?”

“For what Brian?”

“You’re eating just as much as he is, maybe less.”

“I’m just not a big eater and it’s only almost four, lunch.”

“Yes, but it’s almost five too, and that’s dinner!” Brian put a spoonful of macaroni and cheese in his mouth. “And this is good want some?” He asked with his mouthful.

“Eh, no thanks. That’s all yours,” I laughed and ate my salad. After I was done eating, I got up and threw away my plate. Just as I was throwing away my plate Amber was as well.

“How’s your head?” She asked almost sweetly.

“Better thank you,” I said with a half smile.

“That’s too bad,” she said smugly and walked away.

~*~*~*~
Two weeks has gone by since the beginning of the tour started. Our first show was amazing and we managed to get through it without too many problems. I think nerves got to the best of us if anything but we did all okay. We were now in Ohio and had two days off before our next show that would be held in Ohio.

We were all really becoming rather close with one another which was great because when you’re out on the road for as long as you, you really need a family like atmosphere. I am not usually one to become involved with people that I work with, but I did find myself falling for Nick. There was still something about him that he was being honest about, to me, Brian or himself. Katie has become my best friend on tour which has truly been a gift because of problems I have had back home. It was a rainy day in Cincinnati and everyone just chilled around in their hotel rooms, making phone calls, catching up on much needed sleep, some of the girls went shopping, we all did our own thing. I was in Nick’s room watching cartoons and we just talked to one another.

“Loony toons is much better than Disney cartoons Nick, even though Goofy is the best, Loony is well loony. Sort of like you,” I laughed.

“Takes one to know one,” Nick shot back.

“Oh, that was clever. Okay, I’m bored of T.V. get off your butt.”

“What are we going to do?”

“Hmm, I could think of some interesting things…” I said in a sexy tone.

“Oh really now?”

“Yes, like getting down to the weight room. Put on your sneaks let’s go!”

“Actually that sounds good. So, on the bench or treadmill?”

“Doing what?” I asked tying up my laces. Nick raised his eye brows up and down. “Ha Carter, maybe in your dreams.” We grabbed two water bottles and headed down.

“What do you want to do first?” Nick asked me looking around the facility.

“Let’s run for 30 mins, and then do arms, since we use our legs all the time for dancing.”

“Sound like a plan.” Nick and I walked over to the treadmills. The place was fairly empty besides an elderly couple using the bicycles and a couple using the free weights. Nick and I started off jogging slowly and then began to increase our speed.

“How are you doing?” I asked looking over at Nick.

“Great, you should get me to come with you on your daily runs.”

“I would love the company,” I smiled back.

“That’s why you’re in such good shape…maybe I could slim down eventually,” Nick told me almost sadly.

“Nick, you look great. I’d do you,” I joked and gave him a wink.

“Not once you saw what’s underneath these clothes,” he said back. I couldn’t understand why Nick was being hard on himself. As we continued to run, Amber, Teale and some other guy practically all over Amber walked into the weight room.

“Hey guys!” Teale waved to us and they walked over. “Funny how we work out on our days off isn’t it?” Teale said.

“Yeah, well Hailey is a compulsive when it comes to working out, isn’t that right Hails?” Amber looked into my eyes coldly when she told me this.

“Amber what is your deal with me? I haven’t done anything to you,” I responded trying to keep calm. She only shook her head and walked over to an elliptical.

“I think she just needs to get some,” Teale whispered to us, Nick and I laughed. Teale walked away and joined Amber.

“I thought you told me you didn’t know anyone except for Fatima when you came?”

“Yeah, I don’t but Amber for some reason seems to think she knows me…” my voice trailed off.

“So, you like to work out a lot?”

“Yeah, I sort of have to. Hey just five more minutes of running.” I smiled up to Nick. He wasn’t paying attention at this point; he had his eyes shut tight. “Nick, five minutes isn’t that long you can do it.” He shook his head no. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know…I just, everything’s spinning, Hailey I can’t—,” Nick clenched the two side rails and I hit his stop button. I hit mine after and quickly got behind him.

“Teale get over here please,” I yelled behind my back. I had my arms underneath Nick’s and he began to sit on the treadmill.

“What’s going on?” Teale asked coming up to me.

“I’m not sure. Nicky, what do you feel?”

“Spinning and I’m hot…my eyes, they’re going dark when I open them.”

“Get his water bottle; it’s on the floor right there. Nick put your head in between your knees; I think you just over did it. Keep breathing for me alright? There you go. Here drink some water,” I handed him the bottle. I felt his forehead which seemed to be burning up. “Could you go get a towel soaked in cold water please?” Teale nodded her head and I began to take Nick’s pulse. “Your pulse is slowing down, how are you feeling?”

“A little better, I feel really drained.” Teale came back with the towel and I laid it across his neck.

“Are you still spinning?”

“No.”

“Do you think you could stand up? I’d like to get you to your room.” Nick nodded his head and Teale and I helped him up.

“Watch out for that one, she’ll work you until your dead,” Amber said walking by us and over to the machines. I ignored what she said so I could just concentrate on Nick.

“I feel so weak Hales,” Nick said almost in a child’s voice.

“Its okay sweetie, you’re fine. Put your arms around mine and Teale’s okay? There ya are, we’re just going to go to your room so you can lie down,” I told him as calmly as possible. That’s the first thing they teach you when going for nursing, to keep the patient calm. We headed for the elevator and as we were getting on, Brian was getting off talking on his cell phone.

“Hey guys, wait what’s wrong Nick?” Brian asked looking at me.

“He got light headed while we were running, I think he over did it. I’m just going to have him go lie down,” I told Brian holding Nick up.

“Guy’s I don’t feel like I can stand much longer,” Nick said hanging his head down.

“Here let me help you Teale,” Brian got in Teale’s spot and put Nick’s other arm around him. “You’re okay buddy; we’ll get a doctor to come so you don’t have to go deal with the hospital.” We got Nick up to his room as quickly as we could and laid him on his bed. I took off his shoes and socks and had Brian get him some fresh water and cold towels.

“Nick, when is the last time you ate?” I asked sitting next to him on the bed, taking his hand in mine. His eyes shot open and looked at me for a second, then turned away. “Nick it’s important for me to know this. You didn’t eat today did you?” He shook his head no slowly and I saw a tear stray down the corner of his eye. I knew exactly what that tear was for, it was the same tears I cried so many nights in a row when I was younger and even a few times now. It was at that moment that my heart broke for him and I fell in love.

I lay next to Nick and he had his head on my chest. I played with his hair and began talking to him softly.

“Nick, can you please tell me the last time you ate, and I mean more than a piece of fruit or salad…more than what I’ve eaten with you?”

“Like a meal?”

“Yes doll,” I continued to push back his hair.

“Probably a month ago.” I closed my eyes tight and said a silent prayer for him. Brian walked in with two water bottles and towels.

“How’s he doing?” Brian was concerned for his friend.

“He’ll be fine, he just didn’t eat lunch today,” I lied to Brian but didn’t look up at him. I felt this need to protect Nick, at least until I understood everything.

“I’ll go down and get him a sandwich, turkey okay Nick?” Nick shrugged his shoulders and I nodded my head to Brian. I whispered thank you and Brian left.

“Nick, I know you just want to rest but its best if we talk right now. I am talking to you as a friend and not a nurse right now. Nick do you think you’re fat?” He sat up in his bed and looked away from me. “Baby doll I know this is hard to talk about but please.”

“You won’t understand, the guys especially wouldn’t understand.”

“I bet I understand a lot more than you think I do. Hey, I’ll be right back, just stay here, I’ll tell everyone you’re sleeping okay?” He shrugged his shoulders and more stray tears rolled down his cheeks. I squeezed his hand, got out of his bed and quickly went to my room. I grabbed what I needed and went back to his room. Brian was sitting on the bed trying to get Nick to eat the sandwich.

“Nick you’ll feel better, just eat half,” Brian held the plate in front of Nick. Brian looked at me asking for help.

“Nick, we still need to talk but I think it would do you some good if Brian was here in the room,” I tried to get Nick’s eyes to look at me.

“No, get him out,” Nick’s voice was sharp and cold.

“But Nick, Brian’s your best friend, don’t you— “”

“NO get him OUT!” Nick’s voice raised and quivered.

“Its okay, come find me later,” Brian looked hurt as he stood up. “He trusts in you a different way, it’s really okay…” Brian squeezed my shoulder and walked out of the room. I felt bad for him but Nick did need to talk and if this were the only way then so be it.

“Nick, I want to show you something, something that I have never shown anyone,” this got Nick’s attention and he looked at me.

“A photo book?” I ran my hands over the smooth surface of the purple and green book.

“Yes, but this photo book helps me get back onto track when I start slipping…”

“What do you mean slipping?” I opened up to the first page.

“See the girl on the left, that’s me seven years old, I just won all around for level six, that next to me was my best friend…Kara. She came in second. Her and I both started gymnastics when we were one year’s old. Our Mom’s used to bring us in for gymnastics and they became best friends…Kara and I became best friends. Usually seven year olds are learning how to do cartwheels, but I was learning how to do lay outs,” I paused and laughed to myself.

“At that rate why didn’t you go to the Olympics?” Nick asked.

“That’s where I was heading…it was after that meet that mine and Kara’s coaches realized that we needed to go somewhere else…somewhere better. We went to Bela Karolyee’s ranch in Texas. Our parents moved out there and sacrificed their lives in South Carolina. Kara and I began training day and night to become some day one of the best. Kara had always been a little behind me, but it’s not because she didn’t try, it just wasn’t meant for her the way it was for me." I looked at the pictures of us being silly together hanging on the un-even bars and winning at more meets.

“The years when by quickly, and I was winning all sorts of meets. It was so much fun, hard work but fun. I mean, I would wake up at five am, go to practice five thirty until eight thirty, go to school nine until three, practice three thirty until seven and then go home do homework and pass out. During the summers, it was all day practice; we would get a three hour break for lunch and a nap and then back at the gym until eight at night. But it was what I wanted. I wanted to go to the Olympics bad, so bad I started killing myself…” I paused and took a sip out of Nick’s water bottle. Nick watched me intently and took his hand into mine.

“I started watching the older girls, the girls that were a bit better than me…watching them closely. I watched how they did their conditioning, even though I was told I was doing it just right, how they ran towards the vault, watched what pain killers they took in the locker room, and then found out what I thought at the time was the most important thing…my weight,” I paused and flipped a few pages of the photo book. Pictures of different meets, pictures of me and other famous gymnasts…pictures of Kara and I.

“Here I was 14; I was 5’4”, tall for my age and at about 110, 112 pounds. Here, at this Coca Cola Classic meet, I was 5’5” 90 pounds. Now, when you grow, you usually put on 2-3 pounds per inch…but I had to lose. If I lost the fat I had on me, I would flip faster, higher; run harder and lighter…and I told Kara that we needed to do this in order for us to make it to the Olympics. So, instead of flat out starving ourselves, we made it a game. Rule number one, tell no one. Rule number two; look out for each other’s backs. Rule number three, we had to lose two pounds per week. And rule number gout, we had to weigh 80 pounds by the time the Olympic trials were here. That was two months before we started our plan.

“The first month was pretty easy to hide from our families and coaches what we were doing. We would just wake up an hour earlier before we had to and we would run three miles each morning. And then before bed, we would spend an hour doing crunches, push ups and such in our rooms. Sometimes, if our parents would find us doing these, they told us to go to bed. So we’d set our alarms for the middle of the night, like two am, work out for an hour, and then we’d be up at five am. We would only eat the max of five bites of each meal our parents gave us, slowly so they didn’t notice it as much.

“At first we were doing so much better in the gym. Eventually it took a toll on us and we became exhausted. We made a new rule that we could eat before practices for energy, but it had to be oranges, celery sticks, things like that. And we would eat them throughout the practice, maybe one whole orange through out a four hour practice. This became harder on Kara than it did for me. I had the will power and want for the Olympics more. She discovered the miracle of binging and purging…also known as bulimia. She would stuff her face full of food and then throw it up. But she started doing this with everything she ate. Eventually the binging made her start to gain because she wasn’t throwing up all of the food she was eating. She asked for help and I told her that she just needed to make sure it was healthy stuff she put into her body. I told her to call me whenever she felt the need for binging and I would talk her out of it….” My voice began to break down and I choked back tears. Nick now held me in his arms as we looked at pictures.

“The pounds were going up, mine were still going down, I got down to 78 pounds when I was 5’5”, a week before trials…Kara was 5’3” and she was 98 pounds at this time,” I flipped through the pages pointing at the pictures of us as I spoke. "The coaches and my parents didn't seem to realize how much we were losing. Baggy clothes hid our true size and although I had more injuries; it was assumed it was because I was throwing harder skills. That was true but I had shin fractures that wouldn't heal and my body always ached." I paused for a moment. “By the time we were at the trial’s we were ready for the meet, the night before we were supposed to be sleeping, it was going to be the biggest day of our lives but we decided to go running. We snuck out at one in the morning; we ran so far….so far and so hard. She, just…oh, God, I made us go running and we wouldn’t stop until our clothes were soaked with sweat…Kara no!” I buried my head into Nick’s chest and began sobbing.

“Oh, Hailey, I’m so sorry for making you talk about this. Shh, I’m here, you’re okay.”

“I killed her Nick, she never wanted it. Her heart just stopped and she died on the side walk, the night before trials…I was too weak at the point to save her. I tried CPR but I was too weak.” I continued to cry and tried to calm myself down. “Nick, let me help you, so you don’t kill yourself please,” I eventually got out in between my cries. It became too hard to breathe because I was crying too much I started wheezing and coughing.

“Do you have asthma?” Nick asked sitting me up. I nodded my head. “Where’s your inhaler?”

“My…room….purse, on the …table,” I tried to get out. Nick ran out of the room and ran back to his. Katie, Brian, Howie and Amber were behind him when got to me.

“What’s going on Nick?” Katie asked.
“She’s having an asthma attack,” Nick grabbed my purse ran to the room and took out my inhaler and shook it. I took it into my shaky hand and took two sprays. Eventually I calmed down and looked up to a roomful of people.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Well, I know why she was upset,” Amber said picking up the picture book.

“That is NONE of your business Amber,” Nick said snatching it out of her hands.

“Actually it is and I don’t know how she doesn’t remember, Kara had talked to you about me I know she did. Just like she used to bitch about you to me, you’re going to hell don’t try to forget any of this,” that Amber stormed out of the room.

“Hails?” Nick looked at me, looking for an answer.

“I don’t know, I don’t know what I did to her, I don’t know how she knows Kara, Nick!”

“Shh, don’t worry about that right now. Guys, can you give us some time please? I’ll talk to you later. Rok, you and I will talk later, I promise,” Brian smiled and everyone walked out of the room. Eventually I calmed down and went to the bathroom to compose myself.

I set my two hands on the bathroom sink and stared at myself in the mirror. The images that I used to have came to me and I shut my eyes tight to make them disappear. I turned on the cold water and let it run for a minute before I splashed my face. Taking a deep breath, I remembered that I had to help Nick and walked back out to his bedroom.

“Feel better Hails?” Nick asked with concern clearly in his eyes still.

“Yeah. Sorry, for breaking down and everything. It’s been a long time since I’ve talked about all that…actually I’ve never told anyone really besides for my family. But Nick, I can help you get through this. I just need to hear from you how this started, because the beginning is where we need to start.”

“Don’t be sorry at all, I’m really glad and touched that you opened up to me the way you did. And because you were able to conquer your sickness, or work your life through it, it’s shown that it’s only made you stronger.

“I guess it started about a half year ago when we were recording this new album. The guys made comments about how I wasn’t the little brother anymore, that I have gained weight. I know that they mean it out of good fun and aren’t out to hurt me, but it got old fast and it did hurt. And then we started learning the dance moves about a month ago and they joked about it more and more and eventually I just couldn’t handle it. It made me sick to even think about eating.”

“You’re right about them not trying to hurt you purposely. They love you and you need to talk to them about how it does affect your feelings. They’re your brothers. Do you mind me asking how much you’ve lost?” I took his hands into mine.

“About 15 pounds, but now I’m just not toned you know?”

“Well, how about this. Let’s help out each other, like I said I still have set backs. We can help keep each other from slipping, and we’ll work out together. I promise to do it healthy too.”

“I would like that and it makes me feel a lot better that I’m not alone in this. I guess I’ve just never talked to the guys because this is more of a girl problem you would think,” he said in a soft voice.

“It’s more common with girls, but actually research has shown that men close to having eating disorders just as much as females. I know you want to tell Brian and I know that he will understand. I know that they all will. If you want I can talk to him with you.”

“I’ll try to talk to him by myself and if I need reinforcement I’ll call you up.”

“Sounds good. I’m going to go and give you some space and you’ll probably want to talk to Bri. I’m sure I’ll see you around later, feel better okay?” I told him looking him directly into his eyes…oh God his eyes.

“Thank you,” he whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek. I smiled back, gave him a tight squeeze and walked out.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ NICK’S POINT OF VIEW*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As I watched Haily leave my room I couldn’t help but feel this overwhelming feeling of love for her. Yes, she may be a or went to school to be one or something but she is definitely a friend first which probably means she’s amazing at her job. She has to be, she’s amazing at everything else.
I reached to my night stand and took my cell phone to call Brian. I had to tell him everything that was going on, Hailey is right that it’s something I need to talk about, especially to my best friend. Brian came over to my room within minutes and I began to tell him everything…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Back to Hailey*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After I left Nick’s room feeling happy that I had helped him out and that I would be able to continue to help him out, I walked to the end of the hall. Taking in a deep breath I knocked onto her door…
“What the hell do you want?” Amber sneered as she leaned against her door frame.

“I want to know what your problem is with me and how you know Kara.” I asked crossing my arms in front of me.

“You would like to know wouldn’t you?” she smirked. “Well, if you don’t remember then I guess it’s not worth bringing up old pain now is there? Now, get your anorexic ass out of here. If you stay out of my way for the rest of the tour, I will stay out of yours.” With that Amber shut the door in my face. I was so emotionally drained that I had to get some fresh air, so I decided to go for a walk.

~*~*~*~Nick’s Point of View*~*~*~*~

“…and that’s why she showed me her picture book and told me a little bit about her past. She’s only talked to her family about it, but the way she got upset I really don’t think she actually talked talked, ya know Br?” I said finishing up my story.

“Yeah I see what you mean. You know man I love you and you can talk to me about anything. Even when it seems impossible to talk to anyone else, I will always be here. And I promise I will help you out in anyway that I can and I will talk to the guys about keeping the comments knocked off. I do however feel like they should know, we’ve never kept anything from each other, especially from everything we’ve all been through together,” Brian said sympathetically. I nodded my head to Brian fiddling with my cell phone.

“So, have you asked her out yet?”

“What? Asked who out?” I asked Brian’s random question.

“Aww come on Nicky boy. We all see how you two get a long, how you look at her…how she looks at you.”

“Hails?”

“No, Amber,” Brian joked.

“Eww no way! I still don’t know how she managed to get on this tour?”

“Are you going to ask her out?”

“I-I don’t man. She and I clicked so fast, I haven’t made a move on her…not that I haven’t wanted to but she seems so…so, there’s no word to describe her.”

“You’re in love Nickolas Gene,” Brian pushed my shoulder back.

“Well, that or I’m close.”
“Ask her out, take things slow but I think you two would be great for each other. She makes you happy Nick that makes me and everyone else happy. When you get depressed, you get real depressed and I hate seeing you like that.”

“I’ll ask her out tonight for tomorrow.”

“How about we go gather the guys and go out to dinner. Just us and then you can talk to them, does that sound good?”

“Yeah, I think it would help if I told them,” Nick said standing up.

“I know it would. So, why don’t you go shower and everything and meet in Kevin’s room in an hour.” I nodded my head and walked Brian to the door.

“Thank you for understanding, it means a lot to me…I’m sorry for not telling you sooner,” I told him looking down at my feet.

“Hey you came to me when you were ready, everyone is ready at their own times. One hour don’t take forever.”

”HEY! I’m not Howie!”

“True true, alright see ya in a bit.” Brian left the room and I went to get ready.

Nick had told the guys that night everything he had told Brian at the end of dinner so he would still have some appetite left and like he suspected they understood a lot better than he thought they would. He felt a lot better for getting everything off of his chest. Nick however did end up leaving most of my story out of the picture because he didn’t feel right telling everyone about my situation, just that I helped open him up and that he could trust me.
It was about eleven at night when I got a knock on my door. I was in my pajamas and in bed watching some movie that was on the hotel channel. I got out from underneath my sheets and went to the door. Looking in the peep hole I saw Nick standing there and I couldn’t help but laugh at the way he looked through the peep hole.

“Hey doll face,” I said opening up the door.

“Hey,” Nick swallowed a lump in his throat as he looked me up. “I didn’t uh, wake you did I? I can come back tomorrow morning.”

“No, I never fall asleep before two, I was just getting to relax, come on in. Just in time for some movie,” I held the door open wider and Nick stepped in. I couldn’t help but notice how Nick looked me up and down. I was wearing a pair of satin baby blue shorts and a white tank top, nothing too spectacular.
“How can I be of service Mr. Carter?” I asked in an English accent.

“Just stopping by to say hi and let you know I talked to the guys and Brian. You were right they understood.”

“When am I wrong?” I laughed and sat on my bed.

“Every other time!” Nick said tickling my sides. “Nah that would be me, you’re always right.”

“Well, someone has to be on the road. You wanna hang out for a bit?”

“I thought we could go for a walk, unless you’re tired?”

“NEVER! Let’s go!”

“Uh, are you going to get dressed?”

“Why? Do I look that bad?”

“No, no! I just meant—“”

“I’m playing Carter, shish! So, do we need to get a body guard for you anything?”

“Nah, you have pretty big guns,” Nick squeezed my bicep, “I feel safe enough.”

“Gee thanks,” I slipped on a pair of sneakers and grabbed my room key. I followed Nick out of the hotel and we began walking down the side walk. The air was warm with a cool breeze.

“So, how are you and everything? Asthma okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I recover fast from pretty much anything,” I smiled. “How about you mister?”

“Oh, I’m better now, thanks to you.” I smiled up at Nick and then there was an awkward silence.

“TAG, you’re it!” I hit Nick’s shoulder and began sprinting down the side walk. Nick was left confused but finally began running after me. I was doing leaps and dance moves, cartwheels and everything else I could think of down the side walk.

“You’re crazy you know it?” Nick said catching up to me.

“I know!” I said and took off over to a park that caught my eye. I went and sat up on a bench. “It’s beautiful tonight, doesn’t the sky look green?”

Nick looked over to me as though I had two heads on my shoulder.

“Babe its night and I don’t think I’ve ever seen the sky green,” Nick laughed looking up.

“No think about it, we say that ocean looks green, when we really see it blue and teal together. But what is green ya know? How do we not know it’s a shade lighter than black or midnight blue?” I looked at Nick seeing if he understood anything what I was saying. “Or…you can just think I am a total lunatic and if that’s the case you may want to leave now because I am just starting.” Nick started laughing and he shook his head.
“What, what’s so funny?”

“Nothing, you just made me think of one of our songs.”

“Oh, a good or bad one?”

“A real good one, actually the whole song makes me think of you.”

“And which one is that darlin’?” I asked Nick almost in a seductive voice, raising my left eyebrow up. And then all of a sudden Nick began singing:





Yeah, yeah
It seems like yesterday when I said "I do"
And after all this time my heart still burns for you
If you don't know by now that you're my only one
Take a look inside me and watch my heartstrings come undone

I know I promised you forever
Is there no stronger word I can use
To reassure you when the storm is raging outside
You're my safest place to hide

Can you see me, here I am
I need you like I needed you then
When I feel like giving up
I promise inside your heart I still find
You're my safest place to hide

You see colors no one else can see
In every breath you hear a symphony
You understand me like nobody can
I feel like my soul unfolding like a flower blooming

When this whole world gets too crazy
And there's nowhere left to go
I know you give me such a worry
You're the only truth I know
You're the road back home

Can you see me, here I am
Standing here where I've always been
And when words are not enough
I promise inside your heart I'd still find
You're my safest place to hide
My safest place to hide

I know I promised you forever
There's no stronger word I can use
To reassure when the storm is raging outside
You're my safest place to hide

Oh! Can you see me, here I am
Standing here where I've always been
When I feel like giving up
I promise inside your heart I'd still find
Yeah, yeah
You're my safest place to hide, oh yeah
You're my safest place to hide
- Backstreet Boys “Safest Place to Hide” from Never Gone

“Wow, Nick that was beautiful and one of my favorite songs,” I smiled sitting up.

“Yeah, mine too. Hey it’s getting late we should head back to the hotel and you’re sounding like you’re weezy.” He stood up and reached out his two hands for mine and pulled me up into him.

“I’m fine.” I whispered, our faces inches from one another. There was a loud crack of lightening and the roll of thunder followed it. Our bodies jumped together and Nick pulled me in for a hug. Drops of rain kissed our faces and began to fall faster and faster.

“We better run.”

“Nah, the rain is a great soul cleanser. Let’s walk.”

~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning I woke up to the radio alarm playing “Not Ready to Make Nice” by the Dixie Chicks. I sat up and rubbed my eyes and to focus on the time.

“Four-thirty workout here I come,” I yawned, wanting to go back to sleep so bad, I pulled the sheets off of me and got dressed to go running. I felt drained and more tired than when I usually wake up at this time. I would run for an hour and then hit up the hotel’s weight room for a half hour and then dance for an hour all before 8 am rolled around. I was supposed to meet everyone to walk around Cincinnati before getting ready for our show.

I was in the ball room doing some stretching at 7 to dance a little. I brought my Ipod Home into the room so I could dance. I warmed up to a couple of Backstreet dances and then was going to do some lyrical dancing.

Three Doors Down’s “Away from the Sun” came on. I felt an instant emotional attachment to this song, an almost sadness.
“I’m over it, I’m tired of living in the dark, can anyone see me down here? The feelings gone, there’s nothing left to lift me up back to the world I’ve known…” The music blared and I did a back handspring step out to my knees. At the end of the song, tears stung my eyes as I laid on the floor, knees tucked into my chest for the pose. “Great, it’s going to be one of those emotional for no reason days…” I said to myself and was interrupted to clapping. Brian, Nick, and Kevin were in the doorway. My cheeks grew warm and I quickly brushed the tears away.

“Lookin’ good,” Brian said doing a leap into the ball room.

“Can’t say the same for you,” I laughed. Brian’s face dropped but then turned into a huge grin and he continued to leap around the room

“Better?” He called out dancing around me.

“Keep practicing Rok,” Kevin called out. “Do you make up your own routines or are these from previous dancing experiences?”

“Mostly my own, I mean I hardly ever do the same routine twice, I just go with what I feel, I can dance to anything.” I shrugged and took a sip from my almost empty water bottle.

“It’s not even eight am yet, what time did you get up?” Nick asked almost grumpily.

“Uh-early.”

”So you dance to what you feel, dance to the next song that’s on your play list.” Brian walked over to my Ipod and hit the next button. “Secret Garden” by Bruce Springsting came on.

“Easy, it’s my theme song,” I winked and walked away.

“If that’s true Nicky, you’re screwed,” Kevin joked. Nick looked confused. “Listen to the lyrics,”

Nicks Point of View

As I watched Hailey dance, I concentrated on the lyrics that were playing. Her body moved slowly and gracefully to the music. It was all about this woman who wouldn’t let anyone into her heart, her secret garden. It made me want to get to know her even more. Although she told me a huge part of her life, with her eating disorder, I feel like there’s more to that than what’s she’s letting on. On the outside she is this tough, fun, free-spirited girl, in her eyes, there’s something else that I can’t read.
I wouldn’t be able to ever dance to this song because it’s incredibly slow, but she was doing a lot of ballet moves, some walk-over things. Brian changed the music just before it ended.
“Now here is a good song!” Aerosmith’s “Crying” came on. A few of the other dancers, including, Howie and A.J. came into the room. Katie immediately went to Hailey and they somehow began dancing together right away. A few of the other dancer’s follwed and soon enough we were all dancing.
At the end of the song, there was a loud, steady clap from the door way. It was Amber and Teale. We couldn’t figure out why Teale hung out with her, she seemed more kind hearted than Amber.
“Wasn’t that yours and Kara’s song?” I looked to see what Hailey would do to respond. She looked tired and I saw a flicker of sadness in her eyes.
“I’m going to bring my stuff back upstairs and change. I’ll meet you down for breakfast in ten.” She gathered her things quickly and left the room. Should I follow her? Do I stay? Do I kick Amber’s ass for reminding her of pain? I stayed and walked with the others as soon as I saw Katie follow her.
“Can we get Amber off this tour?” Brian whispered walking by.
“We won’t have anyone to fill in, or we would,” Howie responded.

We ate breakfast in the dining room together and Katie and Hales joined. Hailey sat down next to me and smiled.

“Morning,” she took a sip of her orange juice.

“Good morning, so what time did you get up?” She shrugged her shoulders at me looked over her menu.

“Six?” I asked.

“Four-thirty.” She replied.

“What? Were you dancing since then?”

“No, I do this every morning. It’s kinda stuck with me since gymnastics…running, weight lifting, dancing.” Her eyes never left the menu.

“But you run in the evenings, and I thought we were going to start running then too.”

“I know.”

“That’s too much exercise.”

“Nah,I’ve been doing it for a while. I’m going to get the egg whites with fruit, what about you?”

“Hale’s, you seem up tight this morning. Everything okay?”

“Fine.” She glanced my way and smiled. Just as I was about to rebut her, the waiter came over and took our order.

“So, I was thinking we’d do some walking around and then play some b-ball at the courts in that huge park we drove by yesterday.” Brian announced and shoveled pancakes into his mouth.

“Ooo, that sounds fun!” Hailey said excitedly. Her eyes sparkled; she looked herself again, although she wasn’t touching her food. She had taken a few sips of her orange juice and drank two glasses of water. I wondered if our talk yesterday upset her more than she would tell. I also felt as though she were avoiding me eyes. We finished breakfast and then took off to walk around the city.


Lyrics: "Safest Place to Hide"-BSB

"Four on three," Brian said dribbling the basket ball. We had found an empty park across the hotel to play.

"But there are eight of us," Howie said looking at Brian confused.

"Yeah well, it may as well be five on three,because we know your ball skills D," Nick said and Brian walked by and the two gave each other a high five.

"Funny," Howie grinned.

"So,it's me Howie, Amber, and Katie," Brian said. And I walked over to Nick, making our team be him, myself, A.J and Trishel.

Nick and Brian faced each other for the tip off and Howie tossed the ball up. Because of Nick's height advantage he was able to get the ball over to our side and I got the ball.

I was pretty good at the game, considering my older brother played for North Carolina University. When I wasn't in a gym working out, him and I would shoot the ball in the drive way all the time. I dribbled the ball and was able to make an easy lay up shot.

"Did you see that?!" Nick's mouth gaped open.

"Yeah sorry, did I mention my brother played on a college team?" I laughed and Howie now had the ball. He did his best to take it down the court but A.J was on him the entire time and was able to reach his lenghthy tatooed arm around and get it.

"Jay I'm open!" Nick yelled and A.J. chest passed the ball quickly. Nick got it and made a three point shot.

"Nice!" I said and gave Nick a high five. He grinned and playfully slapped my butt. I raised an eye brow and Nick only winked.

The game contiued to be fun for the next twenty minutes and we were all getting hot and tired. We were only playing until twenty one and it was basically a game between Brian and Nick. They were both equally good.

"Nineteen us, eighteen you! Bring it on!" Nick said getting in his boxed postion to block Brian.

Nick was able to get the ball from Brian, saw that I was open under the net and tossed it over his head to reach me. I took it into my hands, dribbled it a couple times and took a few quick steps to make a lay up shot. As I took my left step and brought my arm up to shoot; I felt a pair of hands tackle my waist and bring me down. I saw the flash of red hair and new it was Amber. I came down on my right leg and my knee popped as I hit the pavement.

"FOUL!" Howie said putting his hands up in the time out position.

"No shit Howie," A.J. said.

"You alright?" Nick asked reaching for my hand.

"I'm good," I lied and took his hand. I stood up and my knee groaned in pain. "Alright maybe not," I closed my eyes putting my hands on my hips and bending over.

"This isn't football ya know," Katie told Amber.

"It was an accident, jeeze I'm sorry if I'm competitive." She said in her snobbed voice and walked over to her sutff to get a drink.

"I'm fine, I'm going to just walk it out a little," I smiled and bit my lip as I began to walk around the court. "Finish the game so we win Nick!" I told him since he had began following me.

"We should go get some ice on that." Nick said looking down at my already swelling knee.

"It's an old injury, it's alright. Go!" I laughed and pushed him.

"Okay, next basket wins the game," Nick said going back over to the others. Nick and Brian were serious getting ready to end the game. A.J. had the ball but Brian got it from him, passed it to Katie who then passed it back to Brian and Brian shot and made the ball.

"We win!" Katie yelled and I saw how her and Howie wrapped their arms around each other.

I clapped my hands from the spot I had planted myself on the ground to watch.

"Not fair, we were down a player," Nick said in defense.

"Yeah but we had Howie so it didn't matter," Brian laughed.

"HEY!" Howie defended.

"Alright let's go back,I'm getting hungry," A.J said.

"And we need to pack to go to Kentucky!" Brian said and gathered his things. Nick walked over to me and knelt down.

"How is the knee?" He asked and gently ran his fingers over my knee cap.

"Better," I smiled and Nick helped me to my feet. We started walking back to the hotel and then Nick jumped in front of me. "May I help you with something?" I asked Nick.

"Get on my back, you're hurting."

"I'm fine, it's only a ten minute walk."

"Exactly, now get on, you're limping." I rolled my eyes and put arms around Nick's neck and jumped off my good leg.

"I'm going to give you a hernia."

"Please, you weigh like twenty pounds."

"Plus a hundred," I laughed and Nick brought me to the hotel. We got inside and began packing to head to our next stop. Kentucky.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
“We’re here, in KENTUCKY!!” Brian shouted into my ear as I was reading a Nicholas Sparks book.

“Did we just enter the state?” I asked not looking up from my book.

“Yeah.”

“Then we have a good three hours ahead.”

“Always looking down on things!” Brian hit a pillow in my face and I stood up to hit up.

“Nope, you’re supposed to be off that knee for another two days!” I stuck my tongue out.

“Yeah yeah it’s fine.”

“That’s why you had to have me carry you out to the restaurant this afternoon.”

“I didn’t have a choice! You threw me over your shoulder Nick!”

The last three hours we continued to goof around and I attempted to read my book. Eventually we made it to the hotel and our busses parked in the back. Tired and sick of riding in a bus for almost 24 hours we all crawled out into the parking lot and into the hotel.

“Katie we’re rooming together!” I yelled back to her. She wasn’t paying attention because she and Howie were flirting. “Okay or you can room with HOWIE!?” I laughed as I limped over to my suitcase.

“I’ll get that, you shouldn’t be lifting.” Nick said taking my suitcase from my hand.

“It just rolls, I think I can pull.”

“You’re not supposed to be walking. We should’ve gotten you crutches.”

“No thanks.” I took the suit case from him started to pull. "You're over worrying."

“You leave me no choice. ROK!”

“You rang?” They gave each other kind of head nod, Nick took my upper body and Brian carried my legs.

“This is ridiculous!” Before I knew it, I was over Bubba’s shoulders being carried into the hotel. I had no escaping this one.

We got our room keys and made our way up to the sixth floor. Katie and I unpacked some of our things since we would be here for almost a week.

“So what’s going on with you and Nick?”

“What’s going on with you and Howie?”

“Nuh-uh. I asked you first.”

“I’m not sure. He makes me feel happy and good about myself. I haven’t felt this way in a long time. And he sees almost straight through me. I’m one of the most difficult people to read, not even a psychic can read me!”

“He cares for you. I see it in his eyes and the way he holds you. But what about Brian?” My head jerked up from my suitcase.

“What about Brian?”

“You two have become close in the past day. A little close for a man who is married with a child?”

“Friends. He makes me laugh, we like a lot of the same stuff.”

“Riight.”

“Okay Howie lover, what’s with you two? He had a girlfriend before we left for tour and then the day before she’s gone?”

“They weren’t serious. He said it wasn’t going to work…we’ve talked and we’re just taking things slow and having fun.”

“Good, I’m happy for the both of you.”

“Me too. Just don’t get yourself stuck…or hurt any more!”

“Promise. Hey why don’t you go down and meet everyone for dinner. I think they’re eating down the street at that steak house.”

“You not going?”

“I’m going to relax. It’s a bit of a walk for me anyway.”

“I’ll bring you back something.”

“Thanks.” Katie left the room and I finished putting my things away. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. “Ugh, see what happens when you don’t stick to your workout regiment?” I asked myself trying to flatten my stomach. Feeling sick, I laid on the floor and began doing crunches to the music on my Ipod. I didn’t hear the knock on the door, or Nick walk in.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I jumped a little when someone took my headphones off.

“Oh, hi Nick. You scared me.” I went back to doing crunches. “What’s up?”

“You’re scaring me. Get up.” He put his arms under me and put me up onto the bed.

“What? I was doing crunches.”

“You’re not coming to dinner?”

“I didn’t want to walk.”

“We could’ve been taken down.”

“Why aren’t you going?”

“Brian’s bringing me something back since we heard you weren’t coming, I had to see why. Now that I see, I’m scared.”

“About what?”

“You’re injured and working out. It’s okay to take a day off.”

“Not for me. It’s natural for me to just work out. I’ve had a million injuries and that’s never stopped me.”

“Hales, you told me we’d work together on this. I’ve been keeping my part.”

“I know and you look amazing. You’ve been working out and eating right. I’m proud of you babe.”

“And you look beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever told you that.” I dropped my head a little, he tilted it up with his index finger. “Beautiful.” Ours eyes met and our faces drew near, our lips almost touching. My cell rang and startled me back.

“Sorry.” I answered the phone. Stupid, why did I answer the phone? Too late now. “Hello?”

“Hailey James?”

“Yes?”

“Stay away from Nick.” Then there was a click.

“Hello? Hello?” I hung my phone up. Probably some fan who got my number some how.

“Who was it?”

“Wrong number I guess.” I don’t know why I didn’t tell Nick, it didn’t seem important at the time.

“Oh.” Nick continued to stare at me.

“Nick, I’m not doing anything bad.”

“You haven’t eaten yet today.”

“Katie is bringing something back. Hey let’s go down to the pool!” I stood up and went to find my swim suit. “Go get yours on!”

“HAILEY, you can’t ignore this. We promised.”

“I know what I’m doing Nick. Relax, it’s sweet you care and are concerned. It means a lot to me. Trust me.”

“Will you tell me if you think you’re slipping?”

“Yeah, now get your suit.” Nick walked out, not believing me but what could I do? I put my suit on, slipped on my sandals and threw a pair of shorts over my bottoms. Five minutes later Nick appeared with his suit on and a towel.

“Ready?” He asked.

“Yup. I stood up from the bed, a little too fast because my knee gave out. Nick gave me the eye. “I’m fine; I just need to go a little slower.” I did rather well with hiding the pain I was actually in and the fact of how nervous I was that I actually did blow my knee out again. With a blown ACL you can still walk, it just hurts and feels as though you knee wants to go every which way.

“If it’s still giving out on you tomorrow, we’re getting it looked at.”

“Yes sir!” I saluted like a soldier which made Nick smile. “Swimming is good for your joints anyway.” We went down to the pool. There was another couple and a family with a boy and girl swimming. Other then that, it was pretty dead. Nick jumped in first and I sat down on the ledge. He took me by my hips and pulled me in smoothly and gently.

“Your body is amazing.” I felt my cheeks blush and dunked Nick under water. He came up spitting water. “I give you a compliment and you drown me. Thanks.” I did it again.

“Anytime.” I kept my arms wrapped around Nick’s neck. “Let’s have a race!”

“You’ll probably still kick my ass with a bum knee.”

“Yeah.” We got to deep end of the pool side. “On your mark, get set—GO!” I pushed off the wall with my good leg and began swimming. I tried to kick both legs but it hurt too much. I used my arms the best I could but it was hard. Nick got ahead and won.

“You let me win.” He laughed.

“I wish. Next time I’ll get ya!” We swam for a bit longer and assumed the others would be back by now and got out.

“Here.” Nick wrapped a towel around me and I put my shoes on. “Okay?” He asked. I shook my head and we went back upstairs. When I got to my room, Katie and Howie were in the middle of a make out session.

“Sorry! Just getting dressed!” I took a pair of shorts and sweatshirt and went into the bathroom. Neither one looked up or acknowledged me. I got dressed, ran a brush through my hair and went back out to the couple still kissing. “How was dinner? That’s good, what did you get me?” Katie pointed her finger to the table on the side of my bed. “Thanks.” I opened the box; it was a chicken caesar salad without the dressing. “Okay, I’m leaving. I won’t come back for the night so you have the room!” They both lifted and arm and waved, never removing their lips. I laughed as I walked out into the hall. I walked down the hall to Nick’s room and knocked on the door. Nick answered still in his suit and on the phone.

“Well, I’m sure it’s nothing. Fans say things and send things all the time just to try to get close to us. I understand…yes. No, I haven’t had anything personally. She’s here right now.” Nick looked over at me on his bed. I was laying down flipping through the channels on TV. “Okay hold on—Hale’s have you received any letters or calls that are abnormal?”

“Huh?”

“Just have you?”

“Umm, actually today, someone told me to stay away from you and hung up. Why?”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Yes, she did. I don’t know hold on—did a number show up?”

“No, it came up as restricted on my cell. What’s going on?”

“No, no number, restricted. I’ll let you know. Thank you.” Nick closed his phone and shook his head. “You have to tell me when things like that happen.”

“I didn’t think it was a big deal, what’s going on?”

“The hotel received a rather large package for me. Because it looked suspicious our security opened it. There was a picture of us in it...I don’t know of what. I have to go down and check it out.”

“So what?”

“I don’t know? I’m going to get dressed and then head downstairs.” I nodded my head as Nick dissapereard into the bathroom. “Eat your dinner!” His head popped out and then back into the bathroom.

“Eat YOUR dinner!” I yelled and opened up my box and opened a set of a fork and knife. I took a few bites and Nick came out.

“I’ll be like ten minutes. Do you need anything?”

“A water?” Nick opened up the mini fridge and tossed me an Avion water bottle. “Thanks doll.”

I watched “Halloween” that was on TV and ate some of my dinner. An hour rolled around before Nick came back up.

“I thought you were kidnapped.” He didn’t laugh but got on his cell phone.

“Brian, you have a minute? I understand you want to go see your family but it’s important. Okay, be right over.” Nick hung up the phone and walked over to me. “Hon, I have to take care of a few things. Stay in here okay?”

“What’s going on? Everything alright?”

“Everything’s fine. I’ll get you an ice pack too, it’s been a while.”

“Nick are you sure?”

“Yes. Just relax. I’ll be back in a bit can you lock the door though for me?” I was worried now. Nick was doing a decent job hiding whatever was wrong but I could sense something was up.

“Sure.” I got up and walked with Nick to the door. “Nick?”

“I’ll explain when I get back, I’m sorry I didn’t want to worry you.” He kissed my cheek and left. I locked the door like he said.

Nick's Point Of View (POV)

“So, I went downstairs to talk with security and to see what was up. This is what the package had in it.” I handed Brian t he package that I kept outside the room when I went in to see Hailey. Brian looked inside and took the contents out with a puzzled look.

“My God.” Brian whispered as he looked at the pictures. There were a set of five pictures, all with Hailey and myself. “This is from Florida our first concert. I don’t understand, this isn’t a fan, this is a psycho.” The pictures were ripped in half of me and Hailey. My side was in this “heaven format” and Hailey’s had her in different scenes of being hurt or pretty much mutilated.

“I don’t understand how anyone knows this far in advance of what hotel we stay in. Denise is trying to get us another reservation somewhere else. It’s hard in a town like Lexington.”

“Well, you guys can come with me and stay at my parents for the time being. Nick, you shouldn’t tell her. She doesn’t need to know.”

“She got a phone call today…no number but she said they said, ‘stay away from Nick’ and hung up.”

“What, how do they have her number?” I shrugged my shoulders.

“I can’t keep this from her, she already knows something is up.”

“Well, don’t show her the pictures, tell her that security took them. I’ll hold onto them now.”

“Shouldn’t I just throw them out?”

“I wouldn’t yet. We don’t know how serious this is. It may not be anything at all.”

“Well, we’ll stay here tonight and see if we get anything else or another place to say.”

“Okay man. I’ll see you tomorrow on the farm for sure though?”

“Yeah.”

“Bring Hailey my parents would love to meet her.”

“Thanks. I’ll call you in the morning.” I gave Brian a hug and went back to my room. I had to knock on the door because I had her lock it from the inside as well.

“Hold on,” I heard her yell out and start to unlock the door. When she opened the door she smiled sweetly. I just wanted to hold her in my arms to keep her safe. “Hey you.”

I shut the door behind me and locked it up. What was I going to tell her? I wanted to tell her the truth, it’s something we both are working on with her eating and all.

“I need to tell you something but I want you to not worry and know that the situation is being handled.” Her blue eyes grew intense as she sat on the bed. I saw her wince a little as she lifted her leg up onto the bed. “Let me get you some ice first because I forgot.” I got the ice bucket and quickly went down the hall and back within a minute. I put some in a towel and set it on her knee that was propped up onto a pillow.

“Nick what’s going on, you can tell me whatever it is.”

“I know I can and I want to. But you also have to trust me.” She nodded her head and took my hand into hers. I began telling her about the pictures, leaving out most of the details. “So, you need to tell me right away if you see or hear anything that doesn’t feel right.”

“I promise. I see why you wouldn’t want to tell me, I’m glad you did though.” She pulled me next to her to lie down. Once again our faces came close, our lips brushed each other and I could hear our breathe becoming heavier. “Nick, I—“

“Shh,” I brushed my thumb over her cherry lips. I leaned in a little more and kissed her. I pulled away for a brief moment, her eyes were closed, lips soft and full. I studied her face for a minute longer to know it was okay and tilted my head back down in for another kiss. A minute later we pulled apart and she was smiling. I kissed her dimple on her cheek.

“I’ve been waiting for that.”

“Me too,” I answered back, running my hand through her long golden hair.

“I need you to know, it’s been a long time since I’ve—“

“I won’t go any faster than you want.” She pulled me in for a hug and we spent the rest of the night in each others arms.

~*~*~ Later that Night*~*~

“Hale’s, your phone…it’s ringing.” I shook her gently. “Where is it?”

“What?” She turned into me sleepily.

“Your phone, it’s been ringing non stop. You may want to get it. Where is it?”

“I don’t know?” She sat up and rubbed her eyes “What time is it?”

“Three am.” Her phone began ringing again.

“I think it’s in the bathroom.” She went to get up but I did before she could. I went into the bathroom and there it was glowing and singing a Chris Daughtry song at me on the counter.

“Hello?” I answered. “Hello?” I asked again and then there was a click. I brought it over to the bed and she was already lying back down. I climbed into bed and just as I went to lie down the phone started again. “You answer it, they hung up on me last time.” She groaned a little and took the phone.

“Yeah?” she answered. “Excuse me?” She now sat up all the way against the head board. “How did …who is this?” I turned on the night stand light and her eyes were on me. They were filled with fright and nervousness.

“Hale’s give me the phone.”

“They hung up…” She put her phone down slowly from her ear. “They said that I should get out of your room.”

“I’m calling security. We’re going to have to give your phone over.” I got out my cell phone and called our security explaining everything that happened. “They’ll be up but we’re going to go to Brian’s for the night.”

“Nick what about the other’s?”

“They’re fine; we’re just worried about you. I’m calling Bri, go get your things.” She nodded her head and stood up and limped to the door. Can’t this girl get a break? I thought to myself. “Hales wait.” She turned around and I walked up to her giving a hug and kissed her. She smiled and walked out of the room.

Hailey’s POV

I went into my room careful not to wake up Katie and most likely Howie too. I turned on the bathroom light so that it wouldn’t be too bright and packed up suitcase. I rolled it out into the hall way where Nick and two body guards and A.J. were waiting.

“Hey babe, you’re going to be fine. This kind of stuff happens; we’ll just get you a new number and locate to a different place.” A.J. pulled me in for a hug.

“Let Katie know what’s going on in the morning for me?”

“Of course. I’m sure Brian’s parents have breakfast made right now with a bed and clean sheets ready to go. You’ll love them.” I looked over at Nick.

“It’s true. Come on, see you tomorrow Bone.” Nick and A.J. hugged briefly and we walked down the hall to the elevator at four a.m.

“Tired?” Nick asked as I leaned against the inside of the hotel. I shook my head and yawned. “You can sleep in tomorrow.” Nick put his arm around me and the elevator opened. A van was waiting for us out front. We climbed in the back and buckled in. I lied my head down on Nick’s shoulder and put my knee over his lap; he gently messaged it.

“I feel bad for going to Brian’s parents.”

“Don’t, they’re used to the five of us showing up at odd times like this. They’re the greatest, been more of a Mom and Dad for me than my real parents…” Nick’s voice trailed off and I could hear a tone of hurt in it. I played with his long locks of blonde and closed my eyes. It was about a thirty minute drive but I was asleep in five.

We arrived shortly to the Littrell farm. Hailey was passed out on my shoulder and I saw Brian come out of the house in his sweat pants and Kentucky shirt. Eric, one our body guards opened the door and I unbuckled Hailey’s seat belt. I picked her up into my arms and got out of the van.

“Hey Nick, are you doing alright?”

“Yeah, thanks man for letting us crash.”

“Nick?” Hailey lifted her head from my shoulder.

“We’re at Brian’s.” I set her down to the ground. Brian pulled her in for a hug and I saw her fall into him.

“Whoa there doll.”

“Sorry, just stiff.”

“I’ll bring her in Nick, why don’t you get your stuff and come in.” Brian carried her in his arms into the house. I couldn’t help but feel a slight pain of jealousy. “It’s only Brian.” I said to myself and got one of the bags. We brought them into the living room, Hailey was lying on the couch that was pulled out into a bed all made up and under the covers.

“Kevin’s in the extra room.”

“Oh, I forgot he came with you. This is fine, it’s comfortable, and I’ve slept on with A.J. and Howie so the two of us will be great.”

“You want to go to bed?”

“I’m kind of awake.”

“Want some tea?”

“Sure.” I pulled the sheets over Hailey’s shoulders and followed Brian into the kitchen.

“I can’t believe this is happening. We’ve had some crazy fans in the past but never this crazy. Did they take her phone?” I nodded my head and took out to coffee mugs from the cupboard while Brian boiled the water.

“I just don’t get how someone could her cell phone number?”

“Maybe it’s someone crazy she knows?”

“Anything’s possible. I just need her to focus on letting her knee heel and to be eating.”

“How are you doing with eating and everything?”

“I’m fine, she’s been helping a lot but she’s not eating like she should be for the amount she works out.”

“She felt lighter when I brought her in. Well, Mom won’t let her not eat while she’s here.” We both laughed knowing how much Brian’s mom loved to cook. The water boiled and Brian poured us each a cup of tea.

“Tea man, look at what we’ve become.” I said taking a sip of the warm, honey liquid. We finished our cups and headed to bed.

“I’ll shut the doors in here so that no one disturbs you.”

“Thanks Bri, goodnight.” I climbed into bed carefully not to stir her. I prayed to God that tomorrow everything would be fine and fell asleep soon after.



I awoke to the smell of the crackling bacon and blue berry pancakes and fresh brewed coffee. I looked over next to me and Hailey was still sleeping. Damn the girl could sleep. I got out of bed or the couch I should say and made my way to the kitchen. Brian, Kevin, and his parents were all in there.

“Nickolas!” His Mom, Jackie, came right over to me from the stove and pulled me in for a hug. “It’s so good to see you! I’m sorry you have to go through this with your girlfriend though!”

“She’s not my girlfriend…but thanks. Hello Harry,” I shook Brian’s dad’s hand. I looked at the clock on stove. It read ten-thirty-five.

“Hey Nicky,” Kevin patted my back and poured himself another cup of coffee.

“Hey,” I sat down at the table and Jackie, brought me over a plate of pancakes.

“Coffee or juice?” she asked me in her southern accent.

“Coffee, please.”

“We’ve made plenty, so when, Hailey, that her name?”

“Yes.”

“So when she wakes she can help herself. We have to go into town today to get some things for the farm but make yourself at home.”

“Thanks for your hospitality once again.” I took a bite of the pancakes and chatted with Kevin and Brian. I helped clean up the kitchen with the guys and it was almost noon.

“She still sleeping?” Kevin asked drying a plate.

“Guess so,” I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room where she was still sleeping. She was tucked in the fetal position, her hair spilling across her face. I sat down next to her and brushed the strays behind her ears. I heard her murmur a bit and roll towards me. She was still asleep. I picked out some clothes to wear and grabbed my shower bag so I could shower and get ready for the day.

“Nick, I got off the phone with A.J. and they’re moving them outside of Lexington about thirty minutes from here.” Brian had peeked through the bathroom door to tell me. I was brushing my teeth and had just stepped out of the shower.

“Okay, do they want us to go there?”

“I told them you guys could stay here. A fan is more likely to find a hotel than my house.”

“That’s true,” I rinsed my tooth brush. “I’m going to get dress then be down in a minute.”

“Alright.” I threw my clothes on went downstairs.

“Nick is she sick or something? She hasn’t woken up once?” Kevin asked as we looked over her.

“I don’t know? Hale’s time to get up, it’s almost one,” I rubbed her back and she moaned a little before opening her eyes. She blinked a few times to adjust to the light. “Good morning sleeping beauty,” she smiled and closed her eyes. “You hungry? Brian’s mom made some fabulous blue berry pancakes.” She shook her head no and burrowed into my lap.

“WAKE UP!” Brian yelled and jumped up onto the mattress.

“Go away!” She pulled the pillow over head and then threw it towards Brian.

“Someone is NOT a morning person today.”

“Kevin, I am NEVER a morning person.” She sat up with a painful expression on her face.

“Are you okay?” I asked helping her sit up. She shrugged her shoulders like she usually did when she didn’t want to tell the truth. I pulled the sheets down and off her legs.

“Girl that knee does not look good!” Brian said getting closer.

“Can you move it?” I asked gently pushing on her knee to feel how swollen it was. I saw her try to bend it and she cried out a little and then burry her face in a pillow.

“Dammit!” I heard her muffle into the pillow. I couldn’t help but laugh at how cute it sounded.

“Maybe you just need to move it around?” I asked trying to be optimistic. “Did you bring your brace?” She nodded her head that was still under the pillow.

“How about you go shower and we’ll warm up you some breakfast and get you moving a little.” She sat up and sighed. Brian and Kevin went into the kitchen and she looked up at me with frustration in her eyes.

“Do you think it’s more than a sprain?” I helped her get her legs over the bed.

“I don’t know? I just know I have two days for it to heel.” She put her arm around my neck and we stood up together. She stepped down and immediately all of her weight was on me. This wasn’t a good sign. “Do you want to keep walking or do you want me to carry you?”

“Keep walking, I haven’t moved it since yesterday really so I need to get blood flow in there,” we continued to head to the stairs. She placed her left hand on the railing, I held onto her right arm and put my left arm around her waist. Slowly but surely we made it to the top of the stairs.

“Have a seat on the tub; I’ll get you some towels.” Nick left for a moment and I started the shower. He returned with a towel and wash cloth. “I’ll put your suit case in Brian’s room, you okay to get in and out on your own?” She nodded her head and thanked me. I hated to see her discouraged. I knew she didn’t like being vulnerable. “Just yell when you’re done, I’ll help you out.”

“Could you grab me a couple Advil too please?”

“Sure thing.”

Hailey’s POV

I slipped my clothes off and stood up on one leg in the tub. I wasn’t even going to try to stand on my bad knee on a wet surface. If it weren’t already blown, it would be. I’d just take it easy today and tomorrow and be good for the show Friday...right?

I let the hot water run through my hair and down my body, warming me and allowing my muscles to relax. I could handle a psychotic fan but this knee thing…please. I didn’t even do it, I had a different psychotic person push me down. After ten minutes I sat back down on the tub and dried my body off with the large, white fluffy towel Nick brought me. A bottle of Advil sat on the counter, along with my tooth brush and tooth paste.

“He’s too good to me,” I said to myself and opened the Advil. I popped four in my mouth, stuck my face under the sink faucet and took a drink of cold water. I brushed my teeth and tightened the towel around my body. “I can do this, Brian’s room is…well, I’m not sure which room his is?” I opened the door and steam poured out. I could hear Nick’s voice downstairs, not talking with Brian or Kevin, it sounded like he was on the phone. I held onto the wall and limped, looking around in each room.

“Your stuff is in here,” Brian popped out of a room that I assumed was his. He came by my side and ushered me in.

“Thanks.”

“You’re walking a little better, the shower help?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“I’ll let you get dressed,” he closed the door and I went through my suit case. I looked out the window; it was going to be a hot summer day. I put on a white halter top and a pair of jean shorts, along with my bulky black and green brace on my knee. I stood up and it immediately had much more support.
I saw Brian’s guitar lying on his bed, picked it up and began to strum. It had been a while since I played but my fingers instantly remembered chords and places to go.

“I didn’t know you could play,” Brian popped his head in.

“Oh—hey, yeah a little. I actually learned a lot of your guys’ songs because they’re beautiful. ‘That’s What She Said.’…yeah amazing song and amazing to play. I set the guitar down and Brian put it back in my lap.

“Play it.”

“Play what?”

“That’s What She Said,” he sat next to me.

“Okay…?” I held the guitar in hands, plucked a few strings to familiarize myself with the song and began to play and sing.

Yeah yeah yeah yeah

There are people who say what you wanna hear,
even on a rainy day they'll tell you the sky is clear.
When you really really love someone am I right
when I say that you want them near?
And if can’t even tell them things
that they wanna hear—

Always for ever
one thing she said
never say never
the simple lies that she said I will never leave you
all the love I thought she had
but can you blame me no
cause that’s what she said
that’s what she said
she told me we'd see forever
that’s what she said she said yeah.

There are people
who say what they really mean,
she said she'd always be there,
she said she'd always care,
but just when you think that you can trust that someone you love
tell me why do you know that stars can fall from above?

Always forever
one thing she said,
never say never.
Those simple lies that she said,
I will never leave you,
all the love I thought she had
but can you blame me no
mm



’cause that’s what she said
that’s what she said
she told me we'd see forever.
that’s what she said
ooh ooh ohho yeah
that’s what she said
she told me we'd be together
that’s what she said she said

’Cause you made promises that you couldn't keep
but you're not hurting yourself
you're only hurting me
Why would you say things that you really didn't mean?
Oh how can I make you see just what you did to me?

Ooh you said how much you really care,
just when I thought I was in love
girl how could you care
if I were you I could not lie even once to the face of the one
that I love so much?

Always forever,
one thing she said
never say never
those simple lies she said.
I will never leave you
all the love I thought she had.
but can you blame me no
mm
cause that’s what she said
that’s what she said
she told me we're see forever
that’s what she said
ooh ooh yeah
that’s what she said
she told me we'd be together.
oh that’s what she said…


"That's what She Said"- Brian Littrell

“Wow,” was all Brian said when I was done singing.

“I know, a lot out of practice and out of tune.” I set the guitar down and stood up.

“No, you’re, that was…wow,” Brian shook his head. “I didn’t know you could sing?”

“Not many do,” I winked and walked out of the room. I started going downstairs, holding tightly on the railing I stepped my right leg down. As soon as I bent it, it felt as though it were going to shoot out behind me. “Oh, hell,” I tried to go down hopping on one foot.

“What in the world are you doing?” Nick asked.

“Coming down stairs, duh,” I laughed and stood up at the end.
“I’m taking you into town to the hospital to get it looked at.”

“Nick, they’ll do an x-ray, give me an immobilizer so my knee doesn’t bend and a pair of crutches. They’ll say everything in the x-ray looks good but I’ll need an MRI. That takes a few weeks to set up then another week at least to get it read. It feels better with the brace on; it was just hard to bend my knee so far in the brace down the steps.” I headed for the kitchen. “Could I have some juice?”

“You’re really a pain in the ass ya know that right?” I grinned brightly at him as he walked over to the fridge.

“You love me,” I sat down and looked outside. I saw Kevin walking towards the door. Nick handed me some juice.

“Pancakes?” Nick asked.

“Umm—“

“Nick I have to go to the horses and—“ Brian said coming into the kitchen wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

“HORSES! You have horses? Nick you didn’t tell me. Brian let me come please, pretty, please?” I walked over to him. I gave me him my best puppy dog look.

“How can I say no with that face? Do you ride?”

“I used to, can you ride yours?”

“Yeah come on. Nick you coming?”

“Like you said, how can you say no to that face?” Kevin came in.

“Hey Kev, we’re going to the horses, want to go for a ride?”

“Sure, I just came back from feeding them actually so by the time we get everything ready, they should be done.”

“Hope on.” Nick got in front of me and crouched down. “It’s a far walk and the ground is uneven.” I didn’t argue but hopped onto Nick’s back for a piggy back ride. “You’re eating when we get back.” He told me and we all began making the walk.

We arrived to the large barn where they kept five horses. The barn was in the back just before a set of woods lie. “Hales you ride Rosebud, she’s gentle.” He patted a light brown horse with blonde mane. I got off Nick’s back and walked over to her and began petting.

“She’s beautiful Bri.” Kevin and Brian moved around the bars as though they’ve been doing this for years and prepared the saddle, reins, and bit for the horses. I saw Nick take his phone out and open it up, he then walked over to Kevin and Brian to show them something. They each glanced at me briefly and walked in the back a little.

Nick’s POV:

I felt my phone vibrate in my jean pocket and took it out. A text.

U can run but U can’t hide…say hello to Brian and Kevin.

I went over to the guys to show them.

“What the hell am I supposed to do? This phone number does not look like a phone number.”

“Nick it looks like it was sent from a computer. I don’t know man, I just don’t know how serious to take this.” Kevin said putting a saddle up onto a black horse.

“I’m not going to show it to her, let’s just have a relaxing two days before the show.” I closed my phone and put it away.

“You ready babe?” Nick asked.

“Yeah, what were you showing the guys?”

“Oh, A.J. just sent us a text letting us know they got to their new hotel.”

“Good. I’ll have to call Katie later.” She smiled. I hated lying to her but I just didn’t want her to worry. Brian brought her horse around. I watched as she stepped her left foot in the stirrup and bring her right leg up. She took the reins in her left hand and placed her right hand on the horn of the saddle.

“Looks like we have a pro.” Brian laughed and got out a horse for Nick, Kevin was already on the white horse.

“Kevin you look like a Prince up there,” Hailey laughed walking her horse out of the barn. I got up on the horse Brian brought out and we started walking the horses.

“We’ll go on the trail up there. We can jog them a little after we get past the first clearing.” Brian told us and took the lead. Hailey followed behind, then myself and Kevin in the back.

“Brian this is amazing,” I heard Hailey tell him.

“It is. I miss having horses. My Mom always had them since she was a little girl. I bought her the one you’re on.”

“That was sweet of you.”

“Everyone okay with picking up a little speed?” Brian had pulled his horse to the side and was facing all of us. “Nick?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, I’m not on the crazy horse this time.”

“What crazy horse?” Hailey asked laughing.

“Brian put me on this crazy horse that took off and wouldn’t stop.”

“Nick actually you are on her.”

“WHAT?!” I yelled.

“You’ll be fine, she was just spooked and that was a year ago! Let’s go.” I was definitely going to have to get Brian later for this one. He picked up the pace to a trot and then we were all jogging. I was bouncing all over the saddle but Hailey moved with ease on her horse. Her body went with the rhythm, her long hair flowing behind her. I was so into the way she handled her horse that I didn’t notice the log that had fallen and Brian and Hailey had to jump over. My horse went up on her back legs, jumped over the log and took off.

“NOT AGAIN!” I yelled back.

“NICK PULL THE REINS BACK!” I heard Brian yell to me. I tried; these breaks were not working…once again. Before I knew it Hailey and her horse were caught up to me and was reaching for the reins up close to horses mouth and pulled back.

“Whoa girl,” I heard her say and the horse slowed down to a halt. “Easy there,” she ran her hand through the horses mane. Brian and Kevin came up to where we had stopped.

“Who taught you how to ride?” Kevin asked Hailey.

“Kara…eh, um, my friend used to have horses. We used to ride all the time.” Hailey climbed off her horse.

“What are you doing?” I asked her.

“Get off.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nick get off, I’ll ride your horse.”

“Fine by me!” I got off the horse and watched her get on. I got onto Rosebud, who was smaller than the horse I was but she obviously knew what she was doing better than I.

“Is that a creek up there?” Hailey asked Brian.

“Yeah, we can go over. There’s also a water fall on the other side that’s beautiful.” We followed Brian to running brook, got off our horses and tied them up to a fallen tree. The horses took this time and drank the water.

“Brian, remember when we jumped it?” Kevin asked as the four of us made our way over to the water fall.

“That was a few years back. I can’t believe you did it.” We got up to the waterfall and peered over. There was quite a long drop but the waters were deep at the bottom with a grassy meadow on each side of it. Hailey was standing a few feet behind all of us.

“Hale’s come look at the view.” I reached my hand out to her.

“I can hear it.”

“Come see it silly.” I went over to her and took her hand. She let me pull her up closer but not as close to where Brian and Kevin were. I gave her a look of questioning.

“I-I’m not a fan of heights.”

“You were a gymnast what do you mean not a fan of heights?” I asked

“Yeah, but I was in control of where my body was going. I have no control if I fall over that ledge.” Her arms were crossed in front of her now.

“It’s okay honey, I’m not going to let you fall or anything else happen to you.” I reached my hand back out and she hesitated for a moment before taking it. I wrapped my arms around her waste.

“It is a beautiful.” She whispered and rested her head back onto me.

“Alright let’s go back. Aunt Jackie and Uncle Harold are probably back and I know they want to meet you Hailey.” Kevin announced. Hailey lifted her head off my shoulder and immediately laid it back down, shutting her eyes tight.
“What’s wrong? Did you look over too far?” I asked her still holding her waist.

“Uh-yeah that’s it.” Her breathing became deeper and a little faster.

“You really do not like heights do you girl, you’re really pale.” Brian asked walking past us. I looked at her and her eyes were still closed.

“Do you feel okay?” I asked and she turned her body so it was facing in towards me, her arms now wrapped around my neck. I felt her body tremble in my arms. I picked her up into my arms and brought her over to the horses. I put her on the ground and helped her get up onto the horse. “Better now?” She smiled and nodded her head; I saw something different in her eyes though.

We got on the horses and rode back home with a nice trot.

Hailey’s POV

The Littrell family was incredibly kind to me during our stay. It was good to be able to relax a couple days and have a home cooked meal.

We were at the concert venue preparing for the night’s concert. My knee was feeling better. I had rested it and iced and put heat on it for the last two days. I was wearing my brace still only because I didn’t want to take any chances. I’d only take it off for a couple of the routines, where the music was slow and dancing was light, more of a ballet routine.

“Hale’s want to push me down, my split wont go in,” Katie said trying to bounce up and down in her right leg split. I laughed because she looked like a rubber doll. I pressed downon her shoulders and she was in her split.

“I’ll help you more with that later,” Howie winked at her and gave her a brief kiss.

“Ugh some things, aren't not meant to be heard," I laughed and began stretching myself.

“Hailey James?” A crew member with a clipboard and head phones came up to me.

“That’s me.”

“This just came for you.” He handed me a manila envelope.

“Thank you.” I opened it up carefully and pulled it’s contents out. There was a letter and pictures. I looked at the pictures and felt my heart begin to race a little. There were pictures of Nick and I getting into the van the night we went to Brian’s, of Nick carrying me into Brian’s house, of the four of us riding horses and a picture of—

“Who are those from?” Katie had been standing over my shoulder and I didn’t notice. “Hey that picture looks like it was taken today, when we got here at the venue. I passed the pictures over to Katie and began reading the letter.

Dear Hailey,

I just want to know that you have been warned a generous amount and that I will not be so kind as so the next time we meet. I’ve been watching you since day one, told you to stay away from Nick. Not only for your safety but for his as well.

Looks like the knee is feeling better from the fall you took on the basket ball court. That’s a shame. Let’s hope for your sake and for Nick’s that the show goes smoothly and you don’t make me upset.
Best of luck tonight…break a leg.

X

“Hales what’s wrong?” Katie asked looking at my hands that were now shaking.

“Umm-I have to- ”

“Ladies time for group circle,” a stage crew member told us. I shoved the contents quickly into the envelope and went over to the circle.

“There’s my girl!” Nick picked me up and spun me around and kissed my cheek. “What’s that in your hand?” He took it from me before I could say anything and looked at it. His eyes grew big and then anger pierced through them. “Where did you get this?”

“The crew director brought it over to me a couple minutes ago, I didn’t have time to show you ...” Nick stormed off into some direction.

“Nick we have to go in five minutes where are you going? NICK?!” Brian called and followed him. I knew I should’ve found Nick sooner but there just wasn’t time and now the show was going to start.

“Hailey what’s going on do you know?” Kevin asked me and I gave him a summary of what just happened. “Okay, I’ll tell them to delay another few moments. It’s going to be fine, no worries.” He squeezed my shoulder and I began to pace around.

A few minutes later Nick came back out.

“Show must go on.” He said. He looked angry, was he mad at me? He didn’t have a reason.

“Nick I’m— ”

“They’re getting more security around the stage, you’re, I’m, we’re going to be fine.” He pulled a fake smile.

We did our group prayer; I got in my position for the opening tumbling pass. I let my nerves get the best of me and only threw a back tuck. The show actually was going rather smoothly. After the first three songs, I began to relax and noticed Nick had too. I was in the middle of changing into my next outfit when I heard Brian’s voice come over the speakers.

“Hey ya’ll!! I just want to thank everyone for being here, in my home town!” The crowd yelled. “Today is special because my parents are here in the crowd, hi Mom and Dad!” He waved to the couple in the front row. “Who all is familiar with my song, ‘That’s What She Said?’” The crowd grew louder. “Tonight, I’m going to be singing it a duet with a very talented young lady. Her name is Hailey James and is one of our all start dancers. Hailey please come out!” Before I knew it, I had someone ushering me out onto stage and I was slipping my shirt over head still when I hit the stage.

“Hailey, you know you’re supposed to get dressed in the dressing room and not on stage,” Brian asked passing me the microphone.

“Well, Brian, if you would’ve told me about this duet of ours earlier and not thirty seconds ago, I would’ve been ready sooner, and had time to put on my shoes!” The crowd laughed.

“You know how I love surprises,” he grinned his big stupid, silly grin.

“Oh, I know, that’s why you’ll get one from me in the middle of the night.”

“Can’t wait,” he winked. “So, how about you sing a song with me?”

“Uh-sure why not?” Brian handed took my hand over to where two stools sat at the front of the stage, with two guitars and two microphones. I wasn’t sure how exactly this work, no rehearsal, I haven’t played the guitar in a year besides the other day but I’m always up for a challenge. Brian counted to three and we both began strumming our guitars. He nodded to me to start singing first:

Yeah yeah yeah yeah

There are people who say what you wanna hear,
even on a rainy day they'll tell you the sky is clear.
When you really really love someone am I right
when I say that you want them near?
And if can’t even tell them things
that they wanna hear— Brian started singing next

Always for ever
one thing she said
never say never
the simple lies that she said I will never leave you
all the love I thought she had
but can you blame me no
cause that’s what she said
that’s what she said
she told me we'd see forever
that’s what she said she said yeah.

Hailey:
There are people
who say what they really mean,
she said she'd always be there,
she said she'd always care,
but just when you think that you can trust that someone you love
tell me why do you know that stars can fall from above?

Always forever
Brian:
one thing she said,
Hailey:
never say never.
Brian:
Those simple lies that she said,
Hailey:
I will never leave you,
Brian:
all the love I thought she had
Both:
but can you blame me no
mm



’cause that’s what she said
that’s what she said
she told me we'd see forever.
that’s what she said
ooh ooh ohho yeah
that’s what she said
she told me we'd be together
that’s what she said she said
Hailey:
’Cause you made promises that you couldn't keep
but you're not hurting yourself
you're only hurting me
Why would you say things that you really didn't mean?
Oh how can I make you see just what you did to me?
Brian:
Ooh you said how much you really care,
just when I thought I was in love
girl how could you care
if I were you I could not lie even once to the face of the one
that I love so much?
Both:
Always forever,
one thing she said
never say never
those simple lies she said.
I will never leave you
all the love I thought she had.
but can you blame me no
mm
cause that’s what she said
that’s what she said
she told me we're see forever
that’s what she said
ooh ooh yeah
that’s what she said
she told me we'd be together.
oh that’s what she said…

We ended the song together and the crowd cheered loud. I got this amazing rush from singing and playing.

“Thank you,” I said into the microphone and we exited the stage.

“Is there anything you can’t do?” Nick asked wrapping his arms around me.

“Hmm…nope.” I lent into him and kissed him hard.

“I would have to agree with that one. Mmm. You were terrific, Bri said you were good but I’ve never heard you until tonight.”

“You knew he was going to do this?” Nick smiled.

“Go get your shoes on, our song is on next.” Our song, “Beautiful Woman.” I ran to get my dancing heels, ran a brush through my hair and got into our poses.

B is for beautiful as the sunshine,
E tells me everything’s feeling alright
A comes to you and me
T is two, I want you
You’ve got me acting like a fooooll

As soon as Nick sang the last line, the lights went out, the emergency house lights came on and there was a loud crash.


Everything happened so fast yet seemed to go as slow as a dream. We did the lift, I got put down on the ground, Nick did his “You’ve got me acting like a fool” part and everything went black. Something fell, from the stage, the noise was so loud. I fell far and hard. Who was holding my head? Bubba. I looked up and saw the stage. I had fallen off the stage? I wasn’t ever near the edge? Everything kept going black and coming to. Screams, so many frightened screams of fans and cries. Nick? Where was Nick? The guys? I started breathing hard and coughing.

I tried to sit up but my shoulders were being pinned down. Everything hurt.

“Hailey stay calm honey it’s me Jackie, we’re getting you help.” She took my hand in hers.

“I can’t-br-breathe,” was I having an asthma attack? This felt different. “N-Nick?”

“We’re getting you help, don’t move,” I heard her tell me. The fans were being ushered out as quickly as possible from the arena. I heard sirens from a distance and everything went dark.

Brian’s POV

“GET THIS OFF HIM NOW!” I called to no one in particular. Kevin and I were trying to lift a boxed light that had fallen from the ceiling and onto Nick. It was pinning him from his hips down. It was too heavy for Kevin and I. “Nicky hang on buddy.” A.J. and Howie were trying to help as well and some other workers rushed over.

“On the count of three,” Kevin called out. “One-two-THREE!” We all lifted and tossed the light to the side.

“Nick wake up,” I knelt down by his head, tears stung my eyes, threatening to fall. Two paramedics were taking his stats. “How come there are only two of you, where are the rest?”

“A girl fell off the stage and another one got a piece of glass in her arm,” the guy putting a neck brace on Nick told me.

“Kevin?” I looked up at my cousin and he nodded his head.

“I’ll check it out.” He got up and walked off to the edge of the stage.

“Is he breathing?” I asked.

“Yeah, he’s knocked out but he may have a spinal injury.” They rolled a backboard under him. They lifted his lifeless body onto a stretcher and I went with them as the wheeled him away to the ambulance.

“Howie, I’m going with Nick, they’re taking him to Mercy General.”

“I think that’s where they took Hailey, your Mom went with her, your Dad is looking for you right now.”

“Hailey, what happened?”

“She fell off the stage, she wasn’t breathing man—”

“God…okay I’ll call my Dad, I’m going with Nick.”

“We’ll meet you there.”

*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~ At the Hospital~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We arrived to the hospital fifteen minutes later; Nick was taken away with no time to ask questions. I went to the waiting room and took a seat. I called my Dad to let him know and he said he would be here soon and that my Mom should be there. I tried her cell phone next.

”Mom, where are you?” I asked her.

“Right behind you,” I looked behind me and she was walking down the hall. I stood up and gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re alright. How’s Nick?”

“I don’t know? He wasn’t awake still when he got here, hey may have a spinal injury. I don’t understand what happened?”

“I don’t know honey, I saw the light start to fall before the power went out.”

“How did Hailey fall?”

“Nick pushed her; she was in the path of the light. She fell though hard, she has a concussion and was unconscious when she came in.”

“Someone told me she wasn’t breathing.”

“She wasn’t, but they got her started again. Her heart gave out for some reason.”

“Her heart?” I sat down and put my face in my hands and said a prayer for my friends. Within an hour the guys showed up, were all placed into a private room to keep reporters out of the way. We had a source tell them to stay away from the hospitals and wouldn’t give out names. Press were the last thing we needed to deal with. We had officers come in and question all of us, Kevin talked about the photos and letters and psycho fan. Investigations were going on now at the arena. Nothing was my making sense and my head had a dull throbing pain as we waited in the waiting room.

A couple hours later a doctor came in.

“Are you here with Nick Carter and Hailey James?” He asked, removing his mask.

“How are they?” I stood right up. My Mom was holding my hand. Just as she did when I was in the hospital for my heart.

“Nick is going to be okay. Nothing is seriously damaged but is going to need some physical therapy. He has a fractured pelvis and a broken leg. It could’ve been much worse from what I hear. He’s awake right now they’re just finishing up putting a cast on him. He’ll have to stay here 48 hours for precaution because he did come with a bump on his head.”

“Thank God.” I heard everyone sigh a relief.

“Hailey?” Katie asked with Howie’s arms wrapped around her. She had tears falling down her face still.

“She’s in surgery right now. Are there any actual relatives in here of hers?”

“No sir, why?” I asked.

“Who is closest?” He asked. Eyes went on me and on Katie.

“Brian you go talk,” Katie sniffled out and I followed the doctor out of the waiting room.

“What’s going on Doctor?” I folded my arms across my chest. “Is she going to be alright?”

“She has a hear murmur and that is being taken care of right now. It’s a pretty simple procedure. However, Hailey also came in here mal-nourished. Does she have any diseases or anything?”

“No sir, not that I—” I thought of her and eating habits. “She used to have an eating disorder. But I think that was years ago.”

“It could be the reason her heart gave out so easily. She also has a dislocated knee and concussion. I’ll let you know as soon as she’s out of surgery.” I shook hand and thanked him. I went back to the room to let them know about her surgery and knee.

“Brian you can go in and see Nick, I went and saw him.” Kevin told me. I took a deep breath, got his room number and walked down the hall.

I walked into the room, saw a heart monitor hooked up to Nick, an IV and his leg in a cast up on a pillow. His eyes were shut and I walked up to his bed.

“Nick?” I whispered. His eyes fluttered open and looked around before meeting my eyes.

“Brian.”

“You’re going to be alright man. Doctors say you only have to be here for a couple days.” He nodded his head and winced as he tried to sit up a little. “Are you in a lot of pain?”

“Not too much, they gave me morphine. Brian, tell me about Hales?” I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“She should be okay. She’s in surgery—”

“What?!”

“Relax Nicky. She has a small heart murmur. It gave out on her before getting to the hospital.”

“Do they know what’s it from?”

“Well, she could’ve been born with it, like me. But they also said she came in mal-nourished.” Nick looked puzzled. “I told them she used to have an eating disorder but she was over it. Nick does she still have a problem?”

“I haven’t seen her eat since your mom made dinner that first night. She’s good about getting away with it so I don’t notice.” He brought his hands to his face.

“Nick?”

“It’s my fault.” He whispered an silent tears rolled out of the corners of his eyes.

“No man, you saved her. That light would’ve been right on top of her directly.”

“I should’ve made her get help with the eating thing though.”

“You don’t know that’s what it is.”

“I’m scared Bri.”

“I know Nick. I know.” I put a hand on his shoulder.

Nick’s PoV

Everyone came in one at a time to say hi to me, I had Brian stay with me though. He was the closest thing I had with me. He had called my family to let them know but made sure that they wouldn’t come down to see me. I would be staying with Brian’s parents until Hailey was out of the hospital. She got out of surgery fine and the doctors were waiting for her to wake up.


“Nick Carter do you have a moment?” A police officer came in. “I need to take your statement and ask you about something.”

“Sure. Brian why don’t you go get some coffee.” Brian nodded his head towards the officer and left the room.

“Can you tell me what has been going on with the letters and phone calls first?” He opened up his pad of paper and began writing down what I told him. I told him about the hotel and having to switch, to the text messages, from Hailey giving her phone to the cops already and the last thing I saw before the light came on top of me.

“Do you have reason to believe that the same person who has been stalking me is the person who is responsible for the light coming down?”

“Yes, there was a note attached to it.”

“What did it say?” I sat up a little more.

“It said, ‘Hailey, I told you so.’”

“That’s it?” The officer nodded his head writing down something else in his pad. “So it was intentional for her.”

“We believe so. Thank you Mr. Carter. We’ll be in touch.” He left and Brian came in.

“We all had to do that.” He said taking a sip from his coffee. “Hailey is awake the doctor told me.”

“I need to see her Brian.”

“I know, tomorrow the doctor said.”

“Will you go see her?”

“Of course. He said in a few minutes they were doing some tests.”

“This sucks.” I threw my head back onto the pillow. “Ow.” I rubbed my head.

“You did have a concussion ya know.” Brian shook his head and laughed.

“Where are the others?”

“They went back to the hotel. It’s just me. We’re trying to keep the press away. It’s working so far.”
*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~Hailey’s POV*~*~*~*~~*~*~*

I opened my eyes to the constant beeping sounds. I tried move but my body felt heavy. I had straps hooked up to me and IV’s in my arm. My leg was up in a sling in huge brace. My head pounded and chest burned.
“Good to see you awake Hailey. On a scale of one through ten, ten being the worse, what’s your pain?”
“Thirteen.” I mumbled. The nurse laughed a little and pushed a button on my IV.
“Here is a little more morphine. Your friends are all worried about you ya know.”

“Nick?” I managed to get out.

“He’s going to be fine I hear.” Fine? Did something happen to him? I wondered and the nurse began speaking again. “Are you ready for a visitor?” I nodded my head and she left the room for a minute. Brian came in and up to my bed.

“Hey you.” He kissed my forehead and squeezed my hand. “How are you feeling?”

“High.” Brian laughed.

“That’s the morphine. The doctor says you’ll be good in a few days. You won’t be walking for a bit but you’ll be okay.”

“Brian, Nick?” I whispered weakly. Brian told me about what happened, how I fell, and how Nick was hurt. My emotions got the best of me and the tears started to come.

“It’s okay baby girl. We’re getting a handle on everything. Nick can come see you tomorrow. You need to get some rest; they’ll be kicking me out soon.” Brian stood up and kissed my cheek. “Is there anyone I can call? Mom, Dad, brother, sister?”

“Nathan, my brother.”

“What’s his number sweetie?” Brian took out his cell phone. I gave him two numbers to be reached. His and his girlfriends numbers. “Okay, I’ll call them and see what they want to do. Get some rest.”

“Brian?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you. And tell Nick I love him.”

“I’ll let you tell him tomorrow. And I love you too girl.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*The Next Day~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~

I woke up to nurses checking my stats and a dull pain in my chest. I looked at the clock on the wall. Nine am. The events of last night flooded my mind; I wanted nothing more than to be with Nick. I’d be able to see him today, I told myslef and I fell back to sleep.

Nick’s POV
“Okay Nick, you’re going to be sore but you can go home today after you see Hailey. You won’t be able to get up on crutches for a week, and then its physical therapy for you. Broken legs heel but we have to be careful with your hip. I’ll send in a wheel chair for you to take with you.”

“Thank you Doctor,” I shook his hand.

“Well, that’s good news see Nick.” Brian said. A nurse came in with a wheel chair. She put it close to my bed.

“Okay sir, I’ll bring your leg over and your friend can help you over. Use the chair’s arms to help.” I nodded my head, put an arm around Brian’s neck, while the nurse took my left leg in her arms and over to the chair.

“Ahh, geeze,” I let out a deep breath and dropped my head backwards.

“You alright buddy?” Brian asked.

“Yeah, just take me to Hails.” Brian thanked the nurse, put my bag over his shoulder and pushed me out of the room. “I want to get her some flowers.” Brian took me to the gift shop where I picked out a teddy bear and a bouquet of daisies.
“They moved her out of ICU today. She’s in a normal room.”

“Have you seen her yet?”

“No not yet.” We went into the elevator and up two floors. I didn’t realize I was this far away from her and it pained me more to know that she’s been alone. We got to her room; Brian opened the door and pushed me up to her bed backwards so I could be closer.

“She looks like a child.”

“She’s strong Nick. I’ll give you a few before I come back.” I nodded my head and warm tears fell down my cheeks. I took her hand in mine; she was pale and didn’t look alive. Her sparkling blue eyes were closed; her hair fell around her like a halo.

“Baby, I’m so sorry.” I kissed her palm. I heard a soft moan come from her lips and she moved her head a little. “Hailey it’s me.”

“Nick?” her eyes opened a little.

“I’m here.” Her eyes were fully opened and she was looking at me. “Hi beautiful.” I watched her struggle to sit up. “No, stay still. I know it hurts.” She didn’t listen but sat up, wincing in pain and pulling me in for a hug. She started crying.

“I was so scared. Brian told me you were okay but I didn’t believe him, I needed to see you. I’m so sorry Nick, it’s my fault. This is my entire fault.”

“Shh, that’s not true at all.” I pulled her back a little and kissed her lips.

“Nick, I love you.” Her eyes pools of tears. I pulled her back into me.

“I love you.” I saw her struggling to breathe a little and had her lie back down. “Hales I need to know something.”

“Yes?” She answered meekly.

“You came in mal-nourished honey. I need to know—” Her face turned towards the wall and away from me. “I’m not going to be mad; I just need to be able to help you.”

“Nick I’m fine.”

“Your heart gave out.”

“That happens if you have murmurs.”

“When did you eat last?” She sighed and looked back at me. “The first night at Brian’s?”

“Well, I ate a little of the other dinners but…” her voice trailed off.

“But what?”

“I made myself sick so you wouldn’t know.” More tears dropped down. I ran my thumb over her cheek. “I couldn’t work out because of my knee, I freaked. I’m sorry.”

“The day at the waterfall…you were light headed weren’t you?” She nodded her head. “I’m going to get you the help you need. You can’t keep killing yourself like this.”

“NO. I’m fine. As soon as I get out of the hospital, I’ll take better care of myself.”

“You won’t be able to work out for at least two months Hailey, not with your heart now and your knee.”

“That’s okay; I’ll be okay with it!” I shook my head and looked down. “NICK NO, I do NOT need any help!” Her heart monitor started speeding up. Brian came in.

“What’s going on? I heard her yell.”

“You’re going to end up like Kara is that what you want?” The words shot out of my mouth before I could stop them. I regretted it in an instant. It wasn’t fair to her, she already blamed herself for her best friends death.

“Brian make him go.” Her words hurt but I knew she was upset.

“Hailey you don’t—”

“PLEASE!” she was crying pretty hysterical now and coughing.

“Come on slow down your breathing,” Brian tried to calm her down. A nurse came in and started playing with the machines.

“I’m sorry but you need to leave.” She told the both of us. The nurse slipped an oxygen mask over her face and had her bed put all the way down. I wanted to be there for her, to hold her. Brian pushed me out.

“What happened?” He put my wheel chair breaks on and sat down in a chair. I told him about the conversation. “Well, maybe she will be okay after this. Maybe it was a wake up call.”

“I don’t know Bri.”

“Give her a chance. Come on, let me take you home. I’ll come back out later today. I have my Dad waiting in the car out front.” Brian pushed me out to the car.

“Hey there Nick. Jackie has downstairs all made up for you, so its easy to move around. We’re going to take care of you until you can get back to your feet. And when Hailey is ready, she’s more than welcome to stay too.”

“Thank you.” I mumbled out and Brian put my stuff into the trunk.

“Alright, here comes the hard part. Let’s get your legs in first in the back and kind of slide you in?” Brian asked trying to figure out the best way to stuff me into the car. Harold had me reach my arms up and put them around his neck, while Brian lifted my lower half into the car. Not going to lie, it hurt like hell. My hip was in a lot of pain, and it’s not like they can cast your hip. I knew that this was going to get old and fast.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hailey’s PoV

A week had past since the incident at the concert. The guys’ canceled/postponed their concert until further notice. Almost everyone went back to their homes. Brian came to see me every since I’ve been here, Nick hasn’t been back. I guess it’s been hard for Nick to move around too much with a broken leg and fractured hip. It hurts he doesn’t come to the hospital, but when I don’t know how things would be since the last time we were together. He said some hurtful things, some things I can’t forgive just yet. I’m not one to hold onto grudges but this was different.

I’ve talked to my brother a few times over the phone. I told him that I wouldn’t be able to travel for another week and had a place to stay. I’d be staying with him and his girlfriend back home in South Carolina until I could take care of myself.

There haven’t been any more incidents regarding the stalker. The police had no leads and said unless anything else turns up, they probably wouldn’t be able to catch the person.

“Hello there Hailey how are we feeling today?” Doctor Green came asked coming into my room with my chart in his hand. He listened to my heart and checked my blood pressure.

“Better thanks.”

“Well, I have some good news and some bad.” I raised an eye brow.

“Bad news first please.”

“Bad news is, Mister Tucker next to you is going to miss having you as a roommate.” I looked next to me. Mr. Tucker was an eighty year old man who had his gall bladder removed four days ago and had been staying in my room. “The good news is you can go home today. I called for a ride and they should be here shortly. Now, you’ll have to be on your prescription for another few months to make sure your heart stays strong. I’ve given you two because the nurses have told me you’ve been having night mares. The other one will just help you go to sleep a little easier and keep you asleep. Take it about a half hour before bed. You’ll find yourself feeling short of breath and that’s totally normal. I’m sending home an oxygen tank and mask and you can use it as needed.” I nodded my head and sat up a little in my bed.

“Showering?” I asked almost bagging.

“Of course, your stitches have been in long enough they can get wet now. You’ll need to make sure you keep your moving around limited but you should move around a little each day and a little more than the day before each day. You’ll be on crutches for a few weeks until your knee is strong enough. I understand you’ve had plenty of experience with that before.”

“Too much.”

“I’d like to see you in about a week. If you have any concerns though please do not hesitate to call my office or come back to the hospital. I’ve already faxed over all your records to your doctor at home and you can set up appointments when you get there. Do you have any questions?”

“No, thank you very much Doctor.” I shook his hand.

“Rest and get well soon! I’ll send in a nurse to help you dress and fit you for crutches.” I smiled to him as he exited and a nurse entered. About a half hour later Brian came into the room.

“Quick lets go before they change their mind!” Brian called running up to my bed with his knees up. I laughed.

“Seriously.”

“Do we need to do anything?”

“Nope that pile of stuff is mine on that chair and I’m ready to go.”

“Alrighty then. Do you need a wheel chair?” I pointed to the crutches that were leaning against the wall. “Ahh.” He brought them over to me. “Okay, I’ve been there with this, well without the knee part but it’s going to feel like a rush and a lot of work. Don’t get frustrated and go a slow as you need.” He was being sincere and serious. I didn’t like it but had to trust him. His arm went around my waist and helped me stand up onto my left leg. I placed the crutches under my arms and took in a deep breath and let it out.

“Let’s rock and roll.” I winked and started for the door. Brian got my bag, including the oxygen tank. He stayed by my side and I found myself getting tired before even making it out of the hospital. I stopped and hunched over the crutches.

“That’s fine we’ll go when you’re ready,” he rubbed my back and I started up again. I eventually made it to the front door and went out to Brian’s car. He had his Mom’s explorer and put my things in the back seat. He opened my door; put the crutches in the back also.

“Brian I don’t think I can pull myself up,” I looked into the car. He put my arms around his neck, his arms around my waist and lifted me onto the seat. He helped get my leg in the car and shut the door.

“It sucks doesn’t it?” He asked starting the car and putting his seat belt on. “Getting that tired so fast. Each day will get a little better. Just let your body heel.”

“I’m just glad I’m not alone with this,” I laid my head back onto the seat. “How’s Nick today?”

“He’s alright; he should be getting home from physical therapy by the time we get home. Kevin took him. He misses you, ya know?”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“He’s a blonde idiot, what can I say?”

“Watch it,” I said pointing to my hair. After a half hour drive we made it Brian’s farm.

“Are you sure your parents don’t mind me being here, I mean they have their hands full with Nick and he needs more attention than me. I can take care of myself.”

“Trust me they love this. It’s like they’re the ones getting the attention. You’re going to have some fall back points and get frustrated. You don’t want to be alone.”

When we pulled into the driveway, Brian’s Mom and Dad came out.

“Welcome home honey!” Jackie gave me a hug.

“Thank you so much for letting me stay for a week or so. It means a lot.”

“Oh our pleasure. Now, I’ll bring your things in, Nick’s in there waiting for you.”

“Good or bad day?” Brian asked helping me down.

“Kevin said it was a rough day. He’s very depressed; you know how easily he gets this way.” Brian nodded his head.

“He may be a total jerk, don’t let him get the best of you. Remember you need to worry about yourself right now and get better.” I headed for the door, I felt butterflies in my stomach and wanted to throw up. I got over the thresh and became light headed.

“Brian…” I closed my eyes.

“Its okay, go slow,” he had his arm around me.

“No, I feel like I’m going to pass out,” I leaned against him.

“Well, let’s not do that just yet,” he took my crutches and put them against a corner table and picked me up in his arms. We went into the living room and he laid me on the couch. “That’s probably all the moving around you need to do today, you did a good job.” He placed a pillow under my leg and covered me with a light blanket.

“Could I have some water please?”

“Sure thing, how about some lunch?”

“I feel sick to my stomach.”

“Okay just rest, I’ll go see where Nick is.” Brian walked into the kitchen and I closed my eyes briefly. “Hey Nick, Hailey is out there,” he got a glass down and got some water from the fridge.

“I know,” was all Nick said sitting at the table sipping a can of diet cola.

“You’re really not going to avoid her are you? You’re the one who was a jerk…”

“I know Bri, I just should be able to take care of her and I can’t take care of myself.”

“You’re moving around really well Nick. The doctor says you probably won’t be on the crutches much longer. You’ll be put into an air cast with your leg in another three weeks, your hip will continue to get strong. She needs you man, you know how I was with my heart surgery. It’s a frustrating time and painful.” Nick ran his hands through his hair. “I’ll bring the water out and you two can talk. She’s lying down right now.” Nick got up with his crutches and slowly went into the living room.

Ch. 24: Nick’s POV

I walked into living room and Brian handed Hailey the glass of water. She took it from him and drank thirstily.

“Bri do you think I can shower tonight?”

“We’ll see, you’ve done a lot already. Rest for a few hours and before you go to bed I’ll help you.” There was a sting in my heart when I heard him say that, it should be me helping her. Brian patted my shoulder and left the room. I sat down on the edge of her couch carefully and she looked up at me with her bright eyes.

“Hey,” she whispered softly.

“Hailey, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the words I said, I got scared, it wasn’t the right time, and it never is when I say things.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not and I need you to trust me again,” I took her hand into mine. It seemed much smaller. She nodded her head and sat up all the way, I propped a pillow up behind her.

“I never stopped, I just, you, I was hurt,” she tilted her head down. I wanted to kick my own ass at that moment. I thumbed her cheek and her eyes looked into mine.

“I’m never going to hurt you again,” I leaned in and gave her a kiss. She smiled a little showing off her one dimple I loved and I kissed that. She yawned a little. “Take a nap, you’re going to be needing your rest, especially if you’re going to shower later because you STINK!” She punched me gently on the shoulder.
“I shouldn’t be too bad, I had a hot nurse give me a sponge bath,” she winked.

“Yeah well, he was probably gay.”

“Just the way I like them!” I turned on the TV and I sat in the recliner chair while she slept on the couch.

Hailey’s PoV

“You can run but you can’t hide girly. I warned you to stay away from Nick and now look at what you’ve done…HE’S DEAD.” A witch’s cackle came from this person in a dark hooded cloak. I couldn’t see her face. I turned my face and saw Nick’s lifeless body under the light that had fallen off stage. She was kneeling by him, stroking his hair.

“No, you get away! Nick, wake up, please you can’t die on me,” a pool of crimson blood began coming from under his body and soon covered me. “Nooooooooooo!”

“Hailey, Hale’s wake up, Brian!” Nick called who was back on the side of the couch.

“What’s going on?” Brian entered the room.

“She’s having a nightmare, she’s not breathing right,” Nick shook my shoulders.

“Hailey wake up,” Brian tried lifting my shoulders up a bit.

“Baby come on, I’m right here,” I heard Nick’s voice in my dream.

“Nick!” I yelled out and opened my eyes. My body was covered in sweat and my chest felt heavy.

“Shh, it was just a dream, calm down,” Nick lied me back on the pillow.

“I-I can’t breathe—” Brian had already left and come back with the oxygen tank. He turned the knob on and held the mask to my face.

“Nice, slow breaths. Just breathe.” Brian’s voice was soothing and calmed me down. Nick stood up with his crutches and walked out of the room. “There you go,” he took the blanket off of me. “Lets try to cool you off a little.” I nodded my head. After a few moments, I placed my hand on Brian’s that was still holding the mask to my face and pushed it off gently.

“Thank you.” I brought my hands up to my forehead. “Where did Nick go?”

“I’ll go check on him. Keep this on for a couple more minutes.” He put the mask over my face with the strap over my head. Brian walked off in the same direction Nick went. He found him in the sitting room where the piano was. “Nick?”

“How is she doing?”

“She’s fine.”

“She is not fine. Isn’t that obvious?”

“Why did you leave? She needed you.”

“Man don’t you see, it’s like going through it all again with you.” Brian sighed and nodded his head understanding where Nick was coming from. He took a seat next to Nick.

“Nicky but I’m fine, she’s going to be okay. I think the fact she knows I’ve been through this is helping her. The doctor’s wouldn’t have released her if they didn’t think that. I had to use the damn oxygen mask for months. I had it with me when we were on tour and still had breathed in it in between songs.”

“I had no warning with her, what if she had—”

“Don’t go down that path Nick. Myself, you and everyone else were a wreck for weeks before my surgery because we kept thinking it would be the last time we’d see each other. No go in there, find out what she was having a nightmare about and comfort her.” Brian helped Nick stand up and pulled him in for a hug. “You’ve been through a lot too and you need to talk to me before you lose it.” Nick went back to the living room.

“Hey you,” Nick sat by my side. I took off the mask

Nick’s POV:

“Nick hold me?” She asked weakly. I pushed the blankets onto the floor and pillows. She sat up and I got behind her so she could lay into me. She buried her face into my chest and I wrapped my arms around her. It felt right, it felt almost scary it felt so right.

“Tell me about the nightmare.”

“It was the night from the concert, I saw the person who did it, well, I couldn’t see his face. You-you were…” her voice trailed off and I pushed her away a little to see her face.

“It was only a bad dream, tell me,” I rubbed her back. “I was what?”

“Dead.” She put her face back into my chest and squeezed me.

“I’m not leaving you, it’s alright.” We lied there a little longer until we were both asleep.

I woke up an hour later to Hailey kissing my neck and cheeks.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi,” I whispered back. “Sleep better?” I asked kissing her forehead. She nodded her head.

“Nick, I need to shower bad.”

“Alright, I’ll go see where everyone is.” I laughed and stood up on my good leg, I picked up the crutches that were lying on the ground and saw that everyone was outside on the patio.

“Hey Nick,” Harry said to me opening the door up.

“Hello hello, what’s going on?”

“We’re deciding what to do for dinner, hamburger and hots good?” Jackie asked.

“Yeah sounds good to me. I don’t think she eats red meat though. Maybe a turkey or veggie burger?”

“Alright, we’re going to run into town to the store. Do you need anything?” Harold asked all of us.

“No thanks Dad,” Brian answered.

“Where’s Kevin?” I asked.

“On the phone with the wife.”

“Speaking of wives…when’s the last time you talked to Leigh?”

“Earlier today, I’ve been trying to get her to come down with Bailey. It’s been months Nick since I’ve seen my boy.”

“I’m sorry man; you know you can go home whenever you want. I’ll be ready to fly as soon as she is.”

“I know there just seems to be something missing. Anyway did you need something?”

“Hailey won’t leave me alone about taking a shower. Which I guess I can’t blame her. Do you mind helping her; I’m still not great on the stairs with my hip?”

“I’m just worried if she can stand that long on one leg. It’s going to take a lot out of her,” Brian stood up and we went back inside. Hailey was sitting up right with both feet on the floor.

“I’m ready!” she laughed and reached out her hands.

“Alright alright. I’m carrying you up because by the time you get up stairs with your crutches, you’ll be dead.” Brian picked her up. “We’ll be down in like an hour,” Brian winked and kissed her cheek.

“Watch yourself!” I pointed at him.

Hailey’s POV

Brian brought me into the bathroom and sat me on the side of the tub.

“Your stuff is in my room but all your shower stuff is in there already. I put it in there earlier because I knew you’d want to shower. Here is the deal, I’m leaving the door unlocked and giving you no more than 15 minutes in there. If for any reason you’re short of breath turn the shower off, that’s my cue to come in. I’ll be right outside the door.”

“Yes dad,” I laughed. I began un-strapping my knee brace. It felt good when the air hit it. Brian put a towel on the side of the tub.

“Be careful.” He warned and closed the door and I started the water and took my clothes off. I put my hand in the water to make sure it was the right temperature and stood up on my left leg only. I washed my body with my lavender body wash and then shampooed my hair. “Five minutes.” Brian stuck his head in and yelled.

“Yes, sir!” I laughed and sat on the edge to shave my legs, they needed it bad. I had just finished up and turned off the water when there was a knock on the door.

“Time’s up.” I wrapped a towel around me and gave him the OK to come in. “Feel better?” He asked coming into the steaming bathroom.

“Much, thank you.” Brian picked up another towel and gently began drying my shoulders and legs. He then started to put my brace back on.

“Okay my lady, let’s get some clothes on.” I put my arms around his neck and he picked me up. “You’re shaking, are you cold?”

“No, just a little fatigue.”

“You need to eat. My parent’s are making hamburger and hot dogs. Nick said either a turkey burger or veggie for you?”

“Either or.” Brian sat me on his bed next to my suit case.

“Okay holler if you need me.” He left the room and I started going through my things. I just picked to put on a blue pair of shorts and a white tank top. I brushed my hair and put lotion over my body. Feeling drained I laid down. Five minutes later, Brian knocked on the door.

“Come in,” I called out.

“You—a little tired are we?” He laughed at sat next down to me.

“Uh-huh. My stitches itch.” I rubbed my chest.

“Because they’re wet, these ones are supposed to just come out when they’re ready.”

“Will I have a big scar?” I asked. He lifted his shirt up and showed me his. I ran my hand down the small white line in the center of his chest.

“Not too bad of one.” He smiled. I looked out the window.

“It’s nice out.”

“Do you want to go out?” I shook my head yes and Brian brought me downstairs into the kitchen where Nick was.

“How was your shower?” Nick asked cutting some vegetables. He was helping Jackie make dinner.

“Wonderful.” Brian handed me my crutches. “I’m going to go outside for a bit and see the world.” I stood up and went to the front door.

“Well, she looks to be doing a lot better,” Jackie smiled.

“Yeah,” Brian said as he watched me go outside. I went and sat down the porch swing.

Hailey’s POV

“Are you sure you’re up for this Hales? You’re two weeks early of flying home. The doctor said—”

“The Doctor said that if I am up to it, then I can go home. I need to get home. I need to see my brother and you need to see your family.” I reached up and put my arms around him. Two weeks had gone by since I had been released from the hospital and Nick and I were in the airport ready to go our own ways. My knee was in a brace which allowed me to bend my knee and I was off the crutches. Nick however was still on them and would be for another month. His leg wasn’t heeling the way it should’ve been and had to actually have a new cast put on it.

“I know, I just don’t want to be apart from you.”

“In a couple weeks I’ll come to see you in California.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him.

“Now boarding, flight 237 to Charleston, South Carolina.” A voice came over some speakers.

“That’s me.”

“You have your oxygen with you?”

“Yes, I haven’t needed it in a week.” I smiled up at him.

“But the altitude could make it hard to breathe. I don’t like you flying by yourself.”

“Relax; I’ll call you as soon as I get off the plane.” He nodded his head and we hugged each other. “Are you okay with your leg and all?”

“Yeah, my flight boards in twenty minutes. Well, this is it. Have a safe trip home.” He kissed me again.

“Talk to you in a few hours,” I winked and grabbed my carry on bag and headed for the terminal. I didn’t like the fact Nick was flying by himself and here he was worried about me. I boarded the plane and took a seat. “Goodbye for now Kentucky.” I clicked my seatbelt, and waited for the plane to take off for the five hour flight.

Nick’s POV
My stomach was in knots watching her board the plane. I prayed to God last night and as she walked on that she would be alright with her heart. I was already to go with her to South Carolina but my sisters and Aaron wanted me home because they were tired of being worried. I couldn’t blame them. I crutched my way over to where my plane would be boarding.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ L.A. California*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I got off the plane and saw B.J. Leslie, Angel and Aaron all waiting for me. Aaron ran up to me first almost knocking me over, he started crying.

“Hey little bro.” I hugged him and my sisters all wrapped their arms around me.

“Nick we’re so glad you’re back,” B.J. told me taking the bag off my back. “Let’s go get your bags and go home. Aaron had his arm around me still as we went down to the baggage claim. I turned my phone back on when we got there waiting for the bags. I pressed four digits to my password and listened to my voice mail.

“Yo Nick, it’s A.J. give me a ring when you’re home, I’m in L.A. for a week with my girl. Love ya.”

“Hey Nick, it’s Brian…give me a call when you’re home. I’m at my house, call my cell though, Bailey is taking a nap.” He sounded weird I thought.

“Nicky, is me…Hailey. Did you forget about me already? Hehe, anyway I’m off the plane, my brother is here, we’re heading to the car and going home. I’m alive no worries. Miss you already, call me when you can. Mmuuah!” I couldn’t help but smile as I thought of her.

“Nick, Nick are you home yet? It’s Brian, give me a ring.”

“End of messages.” Aaron had already gotten my bag and they were staring at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Why the big smile?” Lessie asked.

“Nothing, just good to be home.”

“Nick’s in looove.” Aaron cooed and we started walking for the doors.

“Shut it. She’s just an amazing girl. I can’t wait for you to meet her.” I stopped walking because I had a sharp pain running up and down my leg. “Hey Beej, where is the car? Far?”

“Umm, not too far why?”

“I just, ahh—” I almost fell over in pain. Aaron and B.J. had their arms under me.

“Angel go get a wheel chair,” B.J. asked. “Nick, can you make it over to those chairs?” she asked me pointing over to chairs that were about a hundred yards away. I shook my head no. I didn’t even think I could stand much longer.

“Dammit Angel what’s taking you so long.” Aaron called looking around; Angel then appeared with a wheel chair and brought it behind me. I sat down wincing in pain.

“Nick, you’re sweating,” Leslie felt my forehead. I was.

“I’m fine, just a long day. I just need to be home.” B.J. pushed my chair out to the car and I got in the back of the Escalade.

“Glad to see you’re driving my cars.” I laughed stranding up with Aaron’s help.

“We thought it would be best for you to sit in.” Aaron told me.

“Probably not best to get in,” I held onto the overhead handle and pushed myself up.

“I’ll return the chair,” Aaron ran off back to the airport and ran back.

“All set,” he said getting in next to me. He put his arm around me like he was afraid to let go. I took my cell back out and decided to call Brian first since he called me twice.

“Hello?” he answered, his voice barely audible.

“Rok its Nick.”

“Hey, are you home?”

“Almost, I’m in the car. What’s up?”

“Leigh and I are getting a divorce.”

“What?! Why?”

“It just wasn’t working, I mean we’ve been trying to stay together for Bailey but it’s not there anymore. We’re both okay with it I guess. We’re going to have joint custody, live in the same area for Bailey so she can see whoever she wants. I’m going to give her pretty much half of everything….I just…”

He started crying and I felt terrible I couldn’t be there for my best friend. He had left last week to go back home because things were strained between the two of them then. “I’m so sorry Brian. If you need anything let me know.”

“Yeah, but hey I have to go, I’m taking Bailey to the park. I’ll give you a call later.”

“Alright man. Later.” I hung up and felt speechless but called Hailey back on her new cell and number I had gotten her.

“Hola, coma estas tu?”

“Hailey?”

“Just kidding, hi Nick! You made it?”

“Yes, are you home?”

“Well, at my brother’s. We’re just sitting around talking. How was your flight?”

“Good, no problems with you?”

“Well…”

“I knew it; I shouldn’t have let you go on your own.”

“Nick no, nothing like that. I was just going to say I sat next to this man who snored the entire time.”

“Don’t do that to me!”

“You did it to yourself. So how much do you miss me?”

“More than you’ll ever know. I want to see you now.”

“I know…but soon enough.”

“Alright well, I’ll give you a call later tonight.”

“Okay hon.”

“Bye for now.”

“Bye.”
~*~*~*~*~*~the Next Night*~*~*~*~*~

“NOOOO!” I sat up screaming, soaked again in sweat. “Damn,” I was breathing hard and looked over to the glowing clock on my night stand. “Three am…why can’t I have these right as I fall asleep or before I have to wake up?” I had only been home for two days but each night when I fell asleep I would wake up around this time having the same bad night mare. Even when I tried to take a nap I couldn’t sleep all the way through. This last one was a bad one, it felt different, it felt like it wasn’t over. It was just the beginning to whatever was going to happen.

I wrapped my arms around myself and hugged my knees to my chest. I contemplated for a moment and picked up my cell phone. I sent Nick a text message seeing if he were awake. A minute later my phone rang.

“Hey,” I whispered into the phone.

“Another one?” Nick’s sleepy but comforting voice spoke on the other line.

“I’m sorry…”

“No, shh, I’m glad you called. You have to know that you’re okay though and that this thing is over.”

“I don’t think it is Nick.”

“Did something happen?”

“Well, no but it’s just this feeling—”

“Exactly only a feeling. You’re safe, probably safer than if you were to be with me right now.” I suddenly missed Nick more than I had yet. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah.” I choked back a sob. “No, I don’t know? I hate being like this, this is not me.”

“You’ve been through a lot, with the tour, your knee, the accident, your heart. You need to concentrate on you right now. Are you being healthy?” By that I knew he was asking if whether or not I was eating.

“Yes. Are you?”

“Oh yeah, trust me my sisters watch me like a hawk.”

“Do you have your doctor’s appointment tomorrow for your leg?”

“Yeah, hopefully I can get into a walking cast. It’s so hot here with it on.”

“I know it sucks. But you get some rest and I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

“Technically today. Call me though if you can’t get back to sleep.”

“I miss you.”

“Miss you too. Sleep tight.”

“Goodnight.” At that time I was awake and knew it would be awhile before I could fall back to sleep and I went downstairs to get a glass of water. I drank a whole glass and poured myself another one and walked over to the computer that was in the living room. I signed online and decided to check my mail; it had been a couple weeks.

“Hailey you’re the only crazy one up online this time of night.” I told myself as I scrolled down my buddy list.

“How the hell do I have over a hundred emails?” I scrolled down and noticed that I had about a dozen from the same email address I was not familiar with.
OnlyGrL4NGC@yahoo.com. I went through and deleted everything that I thought was spam or junk mail first and deleted it. I then clicked on the first email from the curious email address, it was sent the day after the accident.

Dear Hailey,

I have been nice and tried to warn you. Hell I almost killed you but was unsuccessful. Actually, the lights were supposed to just go off not even fall down, but hey that could’ve been a sign from God to tell you to watch your back too. I mean I am really not one kill a human being that seems more like your job.

Well, I am sure we will be in touch.

X

I had few emails that were blank and the fifth one I clicked on had something in it and it was sent the day before I got home.

Nick and I will end up together. Save yourself…

X

What did this person want? I’ve done nothing to anyone, I finally have found happiness and somewhat stability in my life and I get a crazy fan trying to kill me. I didn’t feel safe and worried for Nick’s own life. I let a single tear roll down my cheek. A tear for frustration, for fear, I didn’t know what I felt at that moment.

“Hails?” I jumped a little in my seat.

“Nathan, hi did I wake you?”

“No, I just woke up and then heard you down here.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t sleep,” I quickly wiped another tear that strayed away.

“Are you crying? What’s wrong?” My big brother came and put his arm around me and looked at the computer and read the email. “Is this from—?” I nodded my head and showed him the others. “Hailey we need to tell someone about these. This isn’t right. They could possibly trace it back to this persons computer.”

“Maybe but I don’t think they’re that stupid.”

“Have you told Nick?”

“I just got them.”

“Well, I know you and I know you won’t say anything. I’ll call him tomorrow and see who he has dealing with everything. Come on you should go to bed.”

“I will in a few minutes. I have some emails from some friends from the tour I want to respond to.”

“Are we going to the pool still in the afternoon to workout that knee?”

“Yeah, after I get back from the gym.”

“I’ll see you in the morning.” He kissed the top of my head and went back up stairs. I wrote Katie an email letting her know I was home and that I would come to see her when I went out to L.A. to see Nick. I just hit send when I heard my buddy list door open. I checked to see who it was and it was Brian. We had all exchanged emails and screen names on tour. I double clicked his name: ImADuck and sent him an IM.

Gymgrl6: Hey stranger, isn’t it passed your bed time? 

ImADuck: You should ask yourself the same question

Gymgrl6: How are you?

ImADuck: O.K. can’t sleep…you?

Gymgrl6: Same…

ImADuck: Bad dreams?

Gymgrl6: yeah…they’re really taking a toll on my beauty sleep. I’m looking like an ogre.

ImADuck: A beautiful ogre I’m sure.

Gymgrl6: :-P

Gymgrl6: Nick told me about you and Leigh…I’m so sorry. I meant to call you but I figured you had a lot going on…

ImADuck: We rushed too fast…I love her but not the way she deserves. We want to stay together for Bailey but it wouldn’t be healthy.

Gymgrl6: Anything I can do hun?

ImADuck: Could use a hug. Haven’t had one of those in a few weeks. :-(

Gymgrl6 ::hug::

ImADuck: Everything happens for a reason …right?

Gymgrl6: I believe so.

ImADuck: So, enough of me, how are you? The knee, the heart, Nick?

GymGrl6: I’m okay…the knee is getting stronger each day, the heart too. I still get short of breath time to time. I’m attempting the gym tomorrow. YIKES!!! And Nick…he’s good but across the country :-

ImADuck: Don’t push yourself girl. Isn’t he coming down to see you soon? Or you going there?

GymGrl6: It’s me Bri, c’mon! And I’m not sure, he was going to come here but his leg just isn’t heeling right. He goes to the doctor tomorrow.

ImADuck: Probably because he doesn’t stay off of it…kinda like someone else I know…ahem

GymGrl6: HEY, I do just fine.

ImADuck: You were of the crutches two weeks earlier than you were supposed to be. You’ve been moving around a lot more than you were supposed to for your heart.

GymGrl6: Eh, I’m fine.

ImADuck: Are you though?

GymGrl6: I’m fine.

ImADuck: I don’t believe you.

GymGrl6: When do I get to see you again?

ImADuck: Don’t change subjects! But I don’t know? I’m looking for a new home tomorrow for me and for Leigh. We both want something smaller but in a close radius of each other for Bailey buns.

GymGrl6: That’s amazing you two are being mature about the whole thing. You’re amazing for helping her out…

ImADuck: I’d never just abandon her. I will make sure she is more than comfortable and help out in anyway I can.

GymGrl6: You’re too sweet. Wish my parents would’ve been that mature.

ImADuck: I think that’s the first time you’ve mentioned your parents…

GymGrl6: oh?

GymGrl6: Well, they divorced just before I turned sixteen….right after I quit gymnastics.

ImADuck: Thus the screen name? I see the sixteen in GRL.

GymGrl6: Yeah.

ImADuck: Why did you quit? I mean I heard a little of what happened from Nick.

GymGrl6: I pretty much went crazy…I mean look at me now

ImADuck: You’re not THAT crazy lol.

GymGrl6: Gee thanks. But no, even after everything that happened, I couldn’t stop my compulsion with working out seven days a week, sixty hours and trying to be the best in every way possible. I wouldn’t eat, my dad couldn’t handle it. My mom saw my reasons, she pushed for it.

Gymgrl6: My dad left, he left use the house, the car, some money and I haven’t heard from him since. They did get a divorce so they are official. I talk to my Mom time to time, but she blames me a lot for the divorce.

ImADuck: I’m so sorry you had to go through all that.

GymGrl6: I’m tough. But yeah I quit because my body was done, I had blown my knee out for the third time and emotionally I was pretty much dead. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…

ImADuck: You’re amazing.

GymGrl6: I think I’m going to go to bed, it is almost four-thirty am.. Call me tomorrow?

ImADuck: I will. Goodnight.

GymGrl6: Sleep sweet Bri Bri..

The next day I woke up to Nathan shaking me. “Hails get up.”

“What time is it?” I rolled over to my back to face him.

“Noon, here Nick’s on the phone. I called him….” He handed me the phone.

“Hey,” my voice was raspy and I was still disoriented.

“Good morning sunshine.”

“Yeah whatever what’s up?”

“Sorry to wake you, but I need you to email me those emails so I can try to get them traced.” I moaned a little and sat up.

“Okay, let me go downstairs.”

“Late night last night I hear?”

“I couldn’t fall back to sleep.”

“I told you to call me.”

“I know but you had to get up early. How was your appointment?”

“Alright I guess. They put a new cast on, no walking on it for another two weeks. But this cast I can get wet, it’s cool.” I laughed a little at how excited he was.

“Were they worried it was still hurting you so much?” I opened my email account and sent Nick the emails. “Emails sent.”

“Thanks and no because it was a compound break. Hold on I have another call.”

“Yup.”

Nick’s POV:

I looked down at my phone before answering and noticed it was a number I’ve seen before.

“Hello?”

“Hi Nick?”

“Speaking, who is this?”

“I’m sorry to call out of no where…it’s Amber. From the tour.”

“Oh…hi. What can I do for you?”

“Well, I’m in your area for a while. I hate how we never got close to each other during the tour and I feel horrible for what happened to you and Hailey. I’d like to actually talk to her sometime and start things over.”

“Amber, I really don’t know what to say right now? I’m not one to hold grudges but Hailey and I are kind of together and after everything that happened between you two, which I’m still not sure of—”

“I see. Well, I’m sorry and as long as you know that then that’s better than nothing.” Her voice sounded sincere and I hated holding grudges on people. Life was too short for that.

“Wait, let me call you back in a little bit. I’m actually on the phone with her right now. And we’ll talk about maybe meeting up.”

“That would be great. Thank you so much Nick.”

“Okay, talk to you later.”

“Bye.” I switched back over to Hailey.

“Hales?”

“Thought you forgot about me.” She laughed a little and I couldn’t help but smile thinking of how she smiles when she laughs.

“Never. But you’re not going to be believe who was on the phone.” I told her the exact conversation Amber and I had and Hailey didn’t say anything back. “You there?”

“Sorry, it’s just…I don’t know, weird.”

“I know. Look if you want me to have nothing to do with her then I’ll understand.”

“No, she’s a little crazy but I’m not going to tell you who you can and can’t talk to or be friends with. I trust you.”

“You truly are amazing. How about I come see you in a week, rather than in two?”

“Hmm, I don’t know?”

“WHAT?!”

“Just kidding doll. I’d love that, you know it. But hey I have to go get my ass to the gym and then the pool. I’ll call you later?”

“Sounds good. Hey Hails?”

“Hmm?”

“Miss you.”

“Ditto.” I hung up the pone and decided to give Amber a call back. It rang three times and she answered.

“Hey, I’m glad you called back.” Her voice was bubbly and excited.

“So where in the area are you?”

“My friend lives right here in L.A. I’m thinking about moving in with her if I like the area. I’m from New York so it shouldn’t be too much of a change, other than it being much nicer.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty decent.”

“Do you want to go out and grab some lunch?”

“Uh, sure why not? I can’t really drive though just yet with this cast on.”

“I can come pick you up.”

“Alright.” I gave her my address.

“I’ll see you in about twenty minutes, is that good?”

“Sounds great. See you in twenty.” I hung up the phone.

“Who are you seeing in tweny?”

“Oh, just a friend Aaron. Her name is Amber.”

“You got rid of Hailey already?”

“No you idiot. Hailey in South Carolina. I’m going to see her in a week. Amber is from the tour too though.”

“Sure Nick. I’m going out with some of the guys and Angel.”

“You look out for her. Your guy friends are pigs.”

“I always do. See ya man.” The doorbell rang around 12:45. I got up off the couch and opened it.

“Hey,” I opened the door wider so Amber could step in.

“Hi Nick, you look great.” She pulled me in for a hug and kissed my cheek.

“As do you. Are we all ready? I know of a great place we can go to.”

“Perfect.” She batted her eye lashes, held the door for me and I walked towards her Mustang Convertible.

*~*~*~*~*~ Five Days Later: Nick’s POV~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Nick thanks for letting me stay here, when Leigh went to her parents with Bailey I just couldn’t be home.”

“When do they get back?” I asked Brian

“Three weeks. They’re doing Disney and all that.” Brian ran his hands through his hair and put his face in his hands.

“Brian this is going to be rough for the next few months. You’ll be okay, Bailey will be okay.”

“I need to just get my mind off everything for awhile. So what’s this you were on the phone with Amber in the car on the way here?”

“Uh, yeah we’ve been hanging out. She’s really not a bad person, just misunderstood. She’s apologized to me, even called Hailey and apologized.”

“Well, that’s cool I guess. Hailey is cool with everything?”

“She says she is. She is trying to move forward with her life.”

“Is she doing better?”

“I think so. Sometimes I can tell some days aren’t as good as the others. I have actually talked with her brother over the phone. He’s a great guy and cares for a lot. He’s the only family she really has. He doesn’t think she’s eating again, she actually went running yesterday and he had to pick her up because she couldn’t walk.”

“I think she needs to see someone for professional help, ya know?”

“She needs to want it first. I was going to go see her this week but I told her you were coming up and she insisted I stay.”

“Anything with those emails?”

“No, the detective couldn’t trace the email really. Each email was sent from a different computer all around and the email address account is set up under a false name.”

“You really like her don’t you?”

“I do Bri, she makes me feel alive. I haven’t felt like this over someone in a long time. I haven’t had a serious girlfriend in two years.”

“My little Nicky is growing up.”

Hailey’s POV

“Hails its Brian.”

“Hey…Bri…what’s up?”

“Are you running?”

“Yeah I was, now I’m walking talking to you. What can I do for you this evening?”

“Isn’t it like ten at night there?”

“Best time to run.”

“You’re nuts. But what are you doing the rest of this weekend and next week?”

“I was going to start putting some hours in at the hospital but I haven’t told them yet. Why what’s up?”

“How about I fly you out tomorrow morning to come to L.A. Nick’s not doing too well,” I stopped moving and tried to catch my breath.

“What’s wrong? I talked to him today he said he was doing better,” I was worried now. Nick hadn’t been feeling that well the last few days, I talked to B.J. at one time and she told me he couldn’t even go up the stairs to sleep in his room lately.

“I don’t know, he won’t go to the doctors. I think part of it he’s missing you.”

“Yeah, I can come tomorrow. I’ll look up flights when I get home, I should be home in about a half hour.”

“Well, I got the tickets already…”

“Oh, alright. When does the plane leave?”

“Five.”

“PM?”

“AM.”

“Ew, okay what time should I arrive in California?”

“It will be like ten am your time but seven am here.”

“Alright, does he know?”

“He’s sleeping right now, he just fell asleep.”

“His room or the couch?”

“Couch.”

“Geeze alright. Thank you Brian.”

“I’ll be picking you up. It’s a direct flight too.”

“Call me if he worsens?”

“Of course. Don’t run too hard on the way back, I need you healthy when you get here.”

“You got it. Goodnight.”

“Night.” It would’ve normally taken me thirty minutes to get home from where I was but I ran harder than told Brian I was going to and made it in fifteen.

“You’re in early tonight,” Nathan said sitting on his couch watching a movie with his girlfriend Caroline.

“Brian called me, I need to go to California to see Nick. My plane leaves at five am.”

“Everything okay?” He asked standing up.

“I don’t know, if he’s having me come out there now, I don’t think so. Could you bring me to the airport tomorrow so I don’t have to leave my car?”

“Of course, go pack and get to bed though.” He gave me a hug. “He’ll be alright.” I took a quick shower and started packing; throwing pretty much all of my things in. I didn’t know how long I’d be staying or what I would be doing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~4:30 AM~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“This is as far as I can go. Call me when you get there and let me know how he is. I need to meet this guy that has my little sister on cloud nine.”

“I will thank you for driving me this early.” We hugged each other, said our goodbyes and I headed for the terminal gate. The airport was dead; most people wouldn’t be flying until after seven am. This actually was the perfect time for flying, security goes by fast, and you don’t have to get here as early.

The plane boarded soon and I was anxious to see Nick. I was able to fall asleep and take a nap for the majority of the plane. Before I knew it, I had landed in L.A. and getting off.

I saw Brian standing at the end of the exit and I ran up to him and jumped on him.

“I missed you Bri Bri!” I hugged him tight.

“I’ve missed you too sweetie.” He set me down. “You look amazing.”

“So do you.”

“Let’s go get your bag, you must be tired.”

“A little, I took a three hour nap on the plane.” Brian put his arm around me and we went to baggage claim. “Brian how is he?”

“He was sleeping when I left. I don’t know if he’s getting sick, if it’s his leg or what? The x-rays show his hips were heeled, it may be sore for a little while but the fracture was gone.” I nodded my head and we waiting for the luggage belt to turn on and my bag to come out.

By the time we got to Nick’s it was almost eight am. His house was surrounded by a large iron gate. The house was nice, not as big as I thought it was going to be, but I guess for living alone you really don’t need a large home. It was still a pretty decent size however. Brian carried my bag through the quiet house.

“He’s through those doors,” Brian pointed to the left of him. “He’s probably still sleeping, go wake up.”
“You think I should?”

“Yeah.” I walked over to two doors that were closed and opened them up slowly. I saw Nick lying on a large black, leather couch, his leg elevated on a pillow. I sat on the edge of the couch quietly and played with his hair a little.

“Nicky, wake up. It’s Hailey,” I leaned forward and kissed his lips gently. He moaned a little and his eyes fluttered opened. “Hey you,” I smiled and took his hand in mine.

“Hales?”

“It’s me.” He sat up and wrapped his arms around me.

“What, why, who?”

“Shh, don’t worry about it. I’m here right now.” I pulled him away and little and looked into his eyes. He had dark circles underneath his eyes and his face was pale. I felt his forehead and it was a little warm.

“I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t think I’d be able to see you for another three weeks.”

“I know. How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. You look gorgeous, a little too skinny but gorgeous. No knee brace?”

“Only when I run. Nick why are you sleeping downstairs?”

“I was too tired and lazy last night,” he yawned.

“And the last three nights?”

“Who asked you to come?” His voice was serious now.

“Brian called but I wanted to come, it was my idea.” I didn’t want him to start being mad at Brian and pulled him in for a kiss. I laid my head onto his shoulder and let his long arms enclose around me. I missed this feeling, the feeling of being safe and loved.

“You’re tired?”

“Yeah.”

“Any nigh mares?”

“I didn’t really give myself a chance to have them last night, I was up at three am and slept for a few hours on the plane.”

“Let’s go up to my room and sleep a little longer.”

“Sounds great.” I kissed him again and stood up. I picked his crutches up off the ground and handed them to Nick. I watched him as he lifted his leg up and put it down on the ground. He put a crutch in each hand and struggled to stand up on one leg. “Nick you’re shaking.” I put my arm around his waist and helped him stand up.

“I’m alright,” he put the crutches under his arms.

“Baby we can lie down here if you want, I can lie in the chair.”

“No, I want to hold you.”

“Everything okay?” Brian came into the room eating a bagel.

“We’re just going upstairs to get a few more hours of sleep,” Nick told him.

“Need help?”

“NO…I mean, we’re all set thank you.” Nick’s voice was short. He handed me a crutch and used the railing to help him hop up the stairs, while he leaned on his other one. He stopped about half way and fell onto his good knee.

“Nick, what is it?” I knelt next to him and Brian had run up the steps.

“Come on man,” Brain put Nick’s right arm around his neck and helped him stand up. I got on the other side and Nick hopped up the rest of the steps till we got to the top. He then used us like crutches to his room.

“Nick where is your first aid kit?”

“In the bathroom,” he lied on his bed exhausted. “In the mirror.” I opened up the mirror in the bathroom and pulled out his first aid kit and looked for a thermometer. I took it out and went back into his room.

“Open,” I stuck the thermometer under his tongue.

“Do you need anything?” Brian asked putting his hand on the small of my back.

“Two bags of ice.” He nodded his head and went down stairs. I gently lifted Nick’s leg and put two pillows under it. “That hurt didn’t it?” I asked looking at his face. He shrugged his shoulders and I took the thermometer out of his mouth.

“What is it?” He asked.

“Nick how are you feeling, like tell me what doesn’t feel good.”

“I don’t know, I just feel really weak and my leg just doesn’t even want me to lift it or anything. Do I have a fever?”

“It’s a hundred. I just want to make sure you don’t have an infection in your leg.”

“The doctor said I didn’t.” I looked at his toes that hung out his cast and felt them. They felt warm, not too hot or cold. If they were one of the other, more likely hot, than I would say he had an infection.

“Tylenol?”

“Bathroom,” he shook his head. “I’m fine Hales, you shouldn’t have to take care of me.”

“I want to,” I winked and got the Tylenol and a glass of water from the bathroom. “Here take,” I handed him two pills. Brian came into the room with the ice.

“Why two bags?” Nick asked looking at me weird.

“Your leg is probably trying to swell up, since they put the new cast on,” I put a bag of ice right on his thigh where the cast started and put the other one over his toes. “You may need to put into a walking cast though,” I said adjusting his leg so it was higher up.

“Why, they told me no since it was still hurting,” Nick asked.

“Yeah but your leg could be having trouble circulating blood, and the more you walk, the more your leg circulates.”

“Why the fever?”

“It’s your body trying to figure out what’s going on. I don’t think it’s the flu. I’m going to keep adjusting the elevation and try to get you to walk a little later.”

“Are nurses supposed to know more than doctors?” Brian laughed.

“Yeah, we do all the work in the hospital.”

“Okay, well I’m going back to bed. Come get me if you need me,” Brian left and I laid next to Nick.

“Thank you.”

“For?”

“Taking care of me, coming to seem, it means a lot.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t be able to relax at home knowing you weren’t doing well baby.”

“I was actually kind of scared these last couple of days.”

“Why?”

“Just the way I’ve been feeling, I didn’t want to go through this alone and I wouldn’t let Brian take me to the hospital. And missing you just made everything so much harder…” It sounded like he was getting choked up.

“You’re not alone, you have Brian and I here with you. I’ll make sure you get treated right. If your fever doesn’t come down in a little while and if the pain level doesn’t subside by tomorrow then we’re going to the doctor’s.” I kissed his forehead, his eyes still looked scared. “I’m here.”
_________________

“So, if go right and make a left onto Blossom that will bring me back here and its about three miles?” I asked Brian lacing up my sneakers.

“Yeah, you can’t get lost.”

“Okay, Nick just got out of the shower and is getting dressed in his room. He’s still pretty sore from the hot/cold therapy. He may need some help down the stairs.”

“Go, you’ve been cooped up in the room with him all day.” Brian pushed me a little towards the door.

“I have my phone, and the run shouldn’t take me more than twenty minutes, as long as my knee and heart like me today.”

“Alright, now go!” Brian laughed and I started jogging to warm up for my run.

Nick’s POV:

“You’re moving around a lot better Nick,” Brian told me as we made it slowly down the steps.

“It feels better, the shower was kind of intense because she told me to make it hotter than normal after our last icing,” we made it to the bottom step and he handed me my other crutch.

“And doctors couldn’t tell you this when you were in all that pain before? Nice.”

“She’s amazing. Brian, I made her my girlfriend today,” I grinned and we went outside by the pool.

“Oh?” Brian’s voice seemed sort of surprised and almost sad. I assumed it was because he was missing Leigh and Bailey. “Congratulations man.”

“Where did she go running?”

“Just around the block, I gave her the three mile route. She should actually be back any minute.”

“Hey hey,” a voice boomed behind us.

“A.J. how’s it going?” Brian stood up and hugged our friend. A.J. came up tome and hugged me, followed by Trish.

“Not bad, where’s Hales? I saw you a couple of days ago, it’s been over a month since I’ve seen her.”

“She’s running,” Brian said and pulled up a chair for Trish and A.J. sat next to her.

“Are you aloud to go swimming with that thing?” A.J. asked Nick.

“I can shower in it, I don’t know if I can swim with it on?”

“We’ll find out,” we all laughed.

Hailey’s POV:
I was about to make the turn onto Blossom which would’ve brought me up the street and to Nick’s house, when a car came screeching out of no where and around the corner. It aimed right for me and I jumped off to the grass and rolled to the ground. It looked like something from an action movie.
“What the—” I hadn’t even seen what the car looked like it had gone so fast. I stood up shaking and breathing deeply. I had an intense pain in my knee from banging it into the ground. I put my hands on my knees and bent over a little, I felt an asthma attack coming on. The sun beated down on me, it was hot at this time of night. I looked at my cell phone and it was 5:45. I should be back by now, I thought.

Another car came up and slowed down next to me.

“Hailey?” I looked up and saw a red Mustang. It was Amber. Great. She got out of her car and came up to me.

“Hey…” I weezed out and stood all the way up.

“Are you alright?”

“I…a car…I need...my inhaler..." I bent back down.

“Get in my car, I’ll take you back.” She put her arm around me. “You’re limping too, geeze girl what happened?” I got in her car and was now gasping for air. I needed my inhaler and I’d be fine, I could usually tell the ones I can control and the ones where I need to be rushed to the hospital. Amber put her foot down on the gas and within seconds we were at Nick’s.

“NICK!” she yelled getting out of the car and running to my side. She opend the door, “NICK!” Brian, A.J. and Nick appeard from the side of the house.

“What’s going on?” Nick shouted, when he saw me get out of the car he started to move a little faster on his crutches. “Amber what happened?”

“I don’t know, she was on the side of the road like this, she can’t breathe.”

“Hails where is your inhaler?” Brian asked me intently.

“In…my….purse…living room...floor,” A.J. now had his arms around me and guided me to the step by the door and I sat down. Brian came out with my inhaler and shook it up fast handing it to me. Nick sat down on my other side and rubbed my back. I put the plastic piece into my mouth, sprayed it twice and inhaled. I ended up coughing in the middle and didn’t get any of the medicine in.

“Come on, slow ‘em down, try again,” Nick’s voice was soothing. My hands were shaking and I dropped the inhaler.

“I’m…light…headed….” I leaned against Nick.

“You’re breathing too fast, come on try again,” he put the inhaler in my mouth; I sprayed it two more times and was able to get it in this time. I held in my breath for a few seconds and let out a shaky breath. “There you go, you’re going to be fine,” Nick kissed the top of my head. “Let’s get you inside out of the heat,” Nick looked at Brian and he shook his head. Brian put his arm under my legs and other one around my back.

“Come on you,” I lay my head on his shoulder, body trembling and exhausted. He brought me over to the couch and sat me up. “Hailey what happened? Did your knee give out or did you just start having trouble breathing?” Brian asked rubbing my grass stained knees.

“I was fine until a car came around the bend and tried to run me over.” My voice started to raise and I took in sharp breath.

“Shh, calm down. Were you in the road when they were turning?” Nick asked me.

“No, I was on the side, in the gutter, I jumped onto the grass. There’s tire marks in the grass I’m sure of.”

“Did you see what kind of car?”

“I didn’t see anything; I just got the hell out of the way. I just then started having trouble breathing.”

“It probably just made you have a heart palpitation.” Brian told me.

“I think her knee is hurt too,” Amber said. “Do you want me to do anything hon?” She asked. It felt creepy weird Amber being nice to me. Not to mention pretty much saving me to get to Nick’s fast enough. I shook my head no.

“Your knee okay?” Nick took off my brace gently and rubbed it.

“It’s just a little sore, I’m fine. I’m sorry.” I brought both of my hands over my face.

“You have nothing to be sorry for baby,” Nick told me. I shook my head and stood up.

“I’m going to shower,” I headed for the stairs and up to the bathroom. I started the shower and turned it on hot. The steam would help clean my lungs and feel good on my body. I stepped out of my clothes and into the shower for a good twenty minutes.

Nick’s POV:
“Just give her some room, she’s alright,” Brian tried to convince me as I looked up the pizza number in the phone book.

“Yeah Nicky, it’s okay.” Amber said rubbing my back.

“I’m just glad you were there when you were,” I sighed and found the number. I took out my phone and punched in the numbers. “Hi yes, I’d like to order pizza for delivery….a large cheese, and a small pepperoni please.” I gave my number and address and hung up the phone.

“What movie shall we watch tonight?” A.J. asked opening up my fridge and taking a cola out.

“A love story!” Amber cooed.

“Horror,” Trish laughed.

“Comedy,” Brian said. The three looked at me.

“A.J. you pick,” I said my mind on Hailey. I walked over to the stairs and started up them. By the time I got to the top Hailey came out of the bathroom with a towel on. “Wow,” I said as I looked at her. She tilted her head down and away from me. She started for my room because that’s where Brian had put her bag.

I followed her into the room and she unzipped the suitcase and let out a sigh.

“Hails—”

“Yes?” Her voice was quiet and she never looked up.

“Come here,” I reached my hand out and she ignored it, continuing to pick out what she was going to wear. I moved behind her, set my crutches so they were leaning against the bed and I wrapped my arms around her waist. She started to pull away and then gave in, leaning back into me.

“I’m sorry Nick, I don’t know what’s wrong with me today,” she turned and faced me.
“You’re tired and it must’ve been scary what happened,” I looked into her sea blue eyes. I couldn’t help myself but start to look down her chest and I noticed her scar in the middle. I ran my fingers gently down it and she started to turn again. “I think its sexy,” I tilted her face towards me.

“Oh yeah, a big red scar sexy,” she said sarcastically.

“It is and its just proof to show how strong you are,” I pulled her into me and gave her kiss.

“Nick, why do you want to be with me?” This question came out of no where, I guess it was fair though.

“Like I tell you all the time, I think you’re an amazing person. You’re beautiful outside as well as in. You care of others, sometimes you care about them a little much more than yourself. You’ve been through a lot and are a strong woman for it. You’re a great dancer, singer, nurse, friend and girlfriend.” I smiled at that last one.

“What else?” she smiled and I laughed.

“And a big pain in my ass!” She made a surprising look and slapped my butt.

“Get out so I can get dressed and be a more pain in your ass.” I lied down on the bed. “Nick I’m serious,” she put her hands on her hips.

“I won’t look, I promise,” I said closing my eyes.

“Yeah right,” she said. “Lucky for you, I lived with a brother. She started to get dressed and I was in awe at how she never took off her towel and before I knew it she was dressed.

“Damn girl, that was just a big tease,” I sat up on my elbows.

“I’m so …so …sorry,” she climbed on the bed and straddled me on her knees. She put her hands on my shoulders, pushed me down onto the pillow and leaned in. Her lips came inches up to mine, I could smell her mint toothpaste and her coconut shampoo.

“You smell…edible,” I kissed her collar bone and she let a small moan out from her bubble gum lips. She leaned in and nibbled my ear lobe. Before I could react she had jumped off the bed and was heading towards the door. “What?! You jerk!” I laughed and got up to follow her down the stairs.

The pizza had come and everyone was chowing down in the living room.

“You look better,” Brian told Hailey getting ready to take a bite from his pizza.

“Thanks,” she winked, stole his pizza and started eating it.

“Hey I’m going to get you,” Brian jumped up from the chair and started chasing her through the kitchen. We all laughed when Brian came back out of the kitchen; Hailey was tossed over his left shoulder, and he was eating his pizza with his right hand. She was smacking his butt telling him to put her down.

“BRIIANN, get me down,” she was laughing and kicking her legs.

“What, you want to go swimming?” Brian asked.

“I think that’s exactly what she said Rok,” A.J. joined and threw Trish over his shoulder. “Trisha wants to join her too,” A.J. and Brian headed for the sliding glass door and went out to the deck.

“Don’t break her Brian,” Amber called as she came up to me. We walked out to the pool.

“If I weren’t on these crutches I’d throw you in too,” I told Amber. She had her hand on my back and we watched as A.J. threw Trish in. I saw Hailey reach into Brian’s pocket and take out his cell phone and wallet. She tossed them onto a lawn chair.

“One-two-three!” Brain called out ready to throw Hailey in. She hung onto him tight, which made him lose his balance and fall into the water. Amber and I were now on the deep end side looking down at the three.

“Nice one Hails,” I laughed as she came up sputtering water.

“MY PHONE!” Brian yelled reaching into his pockets.

“Relax, she took that and your wallet out before you fell in,” I told Brian. He looked at her and she smiled.

“I’m not that mean,” she laughed.

“Time to find out Nick,” A.J. said.

“Find out what?”

“If you can swim with that, on,” He pushed me in, crutches and all. It didn’t hurt, but my cast certainly did feel like I was being pulled down to the bottom. I struggled to swim to the top. When I came up Hailey was by my side, arm around me.

“Now, that was mean A.J.” Amber pushed A.J. in and he hung onto her and they fell in.

“Nick you okay?” Hailey asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I told A.J. earlier that this was a water proof cast, he wanted to know if I could swim with it on,” I laughed holding onto the edge.

“Good in that case,” she tried to dunk me under water but I pushed her under before she could. “Not fair, you’re bigger!” We all played around for a little longer and decided that our pizza was getting cold. I went to the ladder and jumped on one leg to get up but fell back.

“Uh-guys, I have a problem,” I announced. Brian had come out of the house with towels and everyone was drying off. “GUYS!” I said again.

“Just kidding man, give me your hand,” A.J. laughed. “Yo Rok come get Nick’s ass out of the pool.” Brian came over and took my other hand and the two pulled me out.

Hailey’s POV
“See, I told you that if I came with you, they’d put you in an air cast. Now you can walk on it and we can take it off to do the hot/cold,” I told Nick as we stepped out of the doctor’s office.

“Can’t wait,” Nick smirked and we went out to his car.

“You are going to have to start walking on it, if you want it to get stronger,” I told him opening up his door. He climbed in and I went to the drivers’ side.

“I will, it’s just a little sore and it feels weird,” he put on his seat belt.

“Suck it up,” I laughed and turned on the car.

“Hey, I am a very sensitive human being, be nice,” Nick pouted.

“I’m so sorry baby,” I took his hand and kissed it. “Are we really going to the movies with Brian and Amber? It feels like a double date, Brian and she wouldn’t be good together.

“It’s not like they’re together Hails, we’re just going as friends.”

“We’re just going as friends huh? So, you and I am not boyfriend/girlfriend tonight. Okay.”

“That’s not what I—”

“It’s fine, I understand buddy,” I patted his leg.

“You’re such a pain in my ass,” he said and took his cell phone out to call Brian. “Hey Brian, we got out of the doctor’s a little later than planned…no everything’s fine, I’m in a walking, air cast thing…I know….That’s why I’m calling, movie starts at seven-fifteen, want to catch a bite first? Tony’s? Okay see you there around five. Later.”

“What’s Brian up to?”

“He’s working on some new song. So we’re going out to Tony’s, it’s an Italian place at five. That okay?”

“Sounds fine. What do you want to do until then, it’s only noon.”

“Hmm, take a right up here.”

“Where we going?”

“Surprise.” He smiled and put his hand over mine that was on top of the shifter. Nick lead me through a few more turns and I pulled into an empty parking spot in the middle of no where.

“Where are we? I just see trees,” I asked confused.

“Get out,” Nick told me and we got out of the car. “Leave your things in the car and pop the trunk.” I did as Nick asked and he went to the trunk and pulled out a duffle bag. He put it around his shouder and then began walking through the trees that were in front of us and I followed him. After a minute we stepped out onto a white sandy beach facing the ocean.

“Nick, this is beautiful,” I gasped.

“I know, the public beaches are miles on either side and this is really the only way to get to this spot. It’s great for surfers.”

“I’ve always wanted to try that,” I told him as we started down the beach.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Are you okay, that can’t be easy walking in the sand with crutches?” I asked as Nick struggled.

“It’s okay, I’ve wanted to take you here for some time now.” We walked up to the shore, Nick tossed his crutches down and opened his bag. He pulled out a large blanket and I helped him spread it out.

“You planned this Mr. Carter.”

“Maybe,” he grinned and pulled out a picnic basket. “Have a seat.” He told me and started taking out some things from the basket.

“I can’t believe you did this.”

“I may be a little loony but I know how to treat a girl like you, now let’s have some lunch. Don’t worry it’s only health things.” Nick and I ate lunch and enjoyed the sound of the ocean.

“Thank you,” I got up next to him and kissed him.

“No thank you.”

“For what?”

“For coming into my life when you did, I was headed down a dark path and you were the light at the end of the tunnel.” He cupped my face with his hand and brushed my cheek. “Come on,” he stood up.

“Where we going now?”

“Swimming, take your shoes off,” Nick took his one shoe off and picked up a crutch. I took my shoes off slowly and stood up.

“Nick, I’ve never been in the ocean before.” He looked at me with surprise.

“You live in South Carolina though.”

“It’s kinda a fear I have…” Nick laughed a little.

“And you want to learn to surf?”

“Yeah, in a lake. I’ve been in lakes but the waves and everything else in an ocean scares me.”

“We won’t go in too deep, promise.” I nodded my head and got on one side of Nick. He put his arm around me and his other arm was under a crutch. As soon as we reached the part where the sand got wet, he set the crutch down because it was sinking.

“I didn’t mean you had to start walking on an uneven surface with no crutches Nick,” I laughed and I felt myself hold onto him a little tighter.

“I know but it feels like forever I’ve been in the ocean,” he gazed out into the open sea.

“You love it huh?”

“I do and as soon as I can walk well enough I’m going to help you over come this silly little fear of yours,” he pulled me in for a hug. We walked out until our knees were covered; Nick had to roll his shorts up.

“It’s not silly, I just would prefer not to drown or be eaten by a shark!” I splashed him and stepped back. Before I knew it was under water. I came up coughing and Nick had already came over to me.

“You’re okay, you just stepped off the sand bar,” his arm around my waist he pulled me back up to the sand bar.

“See, the ocean is a dangerous place,” I laughed.

“You’re alive relax,” Nick pulled me in for a hug.

“Yeah but now I’m soaked.”

“I brought towels, come on, we should get home to put some clothes on anyway.” Nick and I made our way to our things, packed up and headed home.

~*~*~*~*~A Couple Hours later~*~*~*~*~
“Ready, watch this one!” Nick threw up some popcorn and caught it in his mouth.

“Here let me try, open up,” Brian told Nick and threw a piece of pop corn into Nick’s mouth.

“Children behave or I will take you home,” I told them. The movie started shortly and we began watching it. About an hour into my phone vibrated and took it out of my purse to look at it. It was a text message.

::Enjoying the movie? By the way good leap
out of the way of the car the other day. Too bad.
X ::

It wasn’t a number I had recognized and the X gave it way that it was the same psycho person. I took my purse stood up and crawled through, Nick, Brian and Amber and walked out of the movie.

“Where is she going?” Brian whispered to Nick.

“I don’t know, bathroom maybe?” This was ridiculous; I couldn’t even come to watch a movie. My phone vibrated again.

::Awe why did U get up and leave? ::

I sent a message back: :Just leave me alone. I’ve done nothing to you. ::

::Break up with Nick and I will. U have done plenty to me and my family.::

I wrote back:: U think Nick is going to want to be with a crazy person like you?::

::He is with U isn’t he? Back away. Is that some weight I see U have put on? ::

At this pint I was beyond frustrated. I felt a hand on my shoulder and jumped.

“It’s just me relax.”

“Oh Brian you scared me,” I closed my phone and shoved it into my purse.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I just was going to…get a water,” I walked over to the concession stand.

“I’ll get it for you,” Brian went up to the counter. “One water please.” The teenager handed Brian bottled water and Brian paid for it.

“Thanks.”

“Come on your missing the movie,” he put his arm around me and we walked back in. Nick gave me a look of “what took you so long?” as I sat next to him. I lifted my water and he nodded his head and took my hand in his. I pulled it away from him and took a drink of my water with that hand. The messages were as though the person was in the theatre.

I didn’t concentrate on the movie at all, I couldn’t tell you one part about it because my eyes continued to scan the audience.

“Hails lets go,” Nick told me, the three of them were standing and I was day dreaming. “Hailey!”

“Huh, what?”

“We’re heading out.”

“Okay.” I stood up and followed them out of the theatre. I kept at least ten steps back behind everyone as we walked out to Nick’s car.

“What’s with her tonight?” Amber asked pointing back at me. Nick looked at me and shook his head. We piled into the car and Nick brought us back to his place. By the time we got home it was after nine-thirty.

Amber said goodbye to the guys and she left. I had gone upstairs to put a pair of sweat pants on and sweatshirt, along with my running shoes and I pod. I looked at myself in the mirror. It definitely looked like I had gained ten pounds in the last week. Whoever this person was ruining my life she was right about one thing, I have gained weight. I got onto Nick’s scale, 110. “Damn,” I got off and went downstairs.

“I’ll be back in a bit,” I kissed Nick’s cheek and went to head for the door when he pulled me into him.

“It’s late,” he said.

“I know, I just need to get a run in before bed.”

“You did this morning, you’re not going.” I pulled away from Nick. I felt my eyes glare and I raised my eye brow. Did he just tell me what to do, or should I say what not to do? “Hailey I’m sorry, I just…you’re over doing it again.”

“I am not!”

“Hails listen to him, your mood changes when you’re not eating and work out too much.” I shot a look at Brian, he usually was on my side.

“I have been eating, Nick you saw me,” I felt tears threatening to fall.

“Hailey, you had like three bites for lunch and lettuce with tomatoes for dinner.”

“I have to, you don’t understand—” I headed for the door and Brian got in front of me.

“Brian move…please,” my voice was quivered.

“I’m not going to let you do this,” his eyes looked deep into mine, with such emotion and care.

“But I…I have to, I’m gross. It will be a short run, I promise, Brian please.” I started again to push past him, his arms now enclosed around me.

“We care about you too much to let you hurt yourself,” he whispered into my ear. The tears now rolled off my cheeks and I collapsed to my knees, Brian came down with me and held me. He looked up at Nick who knelt down next to us.

“Baby we’re going to help you get through this but you need to let us get you some professional help,” Nick rubbed my back. My cries grew louder and I squeezed my arms around Brian’s waist.

Brian’s POV:

As Hailey squeezed me, I squeezed her back. She was afraid and I knew that since she’s been here, she’s been uncomfortable with herself. Her runs had grown longer and longer each day and her meals became smaller. She became short tempered and was looking weak.

“You won’t go through this alone,” Nick told her. She sat up for a brief moment.
“Don’t you see? I already am alone!” She stood up and ran out the door. I went to stand up to go after her when Nick told me not to.

“Nick, she’s upset and weak right now, she shouldn’t be running.”

“I know that Brian, but the more we run after her, the farther away from us she’ll go. I just don’t know what else to do, every time I get close, something happens and pushes me away.” Nick sat down on the couch and put his head into his hands and ran his fingers through his hair.

I turned on the TV and we watched whatever was on that channel it was already on. Neither of us cared about what we watched, we wouldn’t be paying attention to it anyway.

Hailey’s POV:
As soon as I ran out of the door I started running as fast I could. I had so much adrenaline in me from somewhere and ran until I was out of the development. I didn’t have my phone on me which was I don’t know if that was a good idea or not. I looked down at my watch in the moonlight, it was eleven. I had been running for an hour. My sweatshirt was soaked as well as my hair. I finally headed back towards Nick’s place and made it back within forty-five minutes.

When I reached his door, I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly before going in. I closed the door quietly and heard the TV on in the living room. Great, I thought. I had to walk through there to get up the stairs to shower. Just walk right on through, don’t look, and don’t talk. And that was exactly what I did. I went through the living room where Nick and Brian were watching TV and I walked up the stairs.

Nick looked over at Brian once I had gone up the stairs and shook his head.

I turned on the shower and let the water run until it was warm and I peeled off my clothes. I got into the shower, washed my hair and body and let the hot water run down me, trying to cleanse my body of any pain I had. I felt horrible how I’ve been treating Nick and Brian. I should’ve told them about the messages but then they would think I’m even crazier to let someone who is crazy, tell me that I’m fat and let it get to me. I leaned my body against the shower wall and slid down, bringing my knees to my chest, I hugged them. I sat there like that even when the hot water gone and it was now ice cold.

I heard a knock on the door but ignored it. My body was literally numb as my mind was.

”Hails it’s Nick, you’ve been in there for an hour.” I didn’t answer. “Hailey?” Nick’s voice sounded worried and he pushed the shower back a little, when he saw me sitting down he turned off the water.
“God baby, the water is freezing,” he set his crutches to the side, pulled a towel off a hook and wrapped it around me. “Come on,” he picked me up and carried me into this bedroom, laid me onto the bed and pulled the covers over me. My body was shaking and Nick climbed in bed with me.

“Nick, I’m sorry,” I whispered looking at him. “And I’m sorry for saying sorry a lot lately.” He pulled me close to him and rubbed his arms up and down my body to warm me.

“What happened tonight?” I shrugged my shoulders a little. “Hails?”

“I just…” I thought for a minute and told him about the messages and about me weighing myself. “I know I shouldn’t listen to this person, but it doesn’t take much to convince me with something like that.

“How much do you weigh?”

“It was 110 with my sweats and sneakers on. Nick I don’t want to go see someone, they’ll just put me in a hospital and I’m not that bad, I promise.” Nick looked at me intently.

“You will truly let me help you though and be honest with me from here on out? Because the minute you start again, I’m taking you somewhere, and that’s only because…because I love you Hailey.” I nodded my head. “Come on, I need to see how much you weigh without your clothes on because you had a heavy sweatshirt and pants on.” Nick and I got out of bed and went into his bathroom onto the scale. “Step on back words, I’ll hold the towel up and just look at the numbers. I don’t want you seeing them.” Nick kissed my cheek and I stepped onto the scale. I un-wrapped my towel and Nick held it so it was like a sheet.

My eyes shut tight and a tear rolled down my left cheek. “Okay,” Nick wrapped the towel back around me. “Get dressed I’m going to make you some tea and we’ll go to bed.” I went into Nick’s room and got dressed while he went downstairs. Brian was in the kitchen already making some tea.

“How did it go man?” Brian asked.

“Here pour her a cup,” Nick handed Brian a mug. “I don’t know? I found her sitting on the shower floor, the water was ice cold. I told that if she stuck with me on this and let me really help, I wouldn’t take her to the doctors. But the minute she falls back into her habits I’m taking her to get help.” Nick told Brain about he messages. “And so I just had her get on the scale and I weighed her, not letting her see how much she was.”

“Which was?”

“Only 103.9. A good five pounds were her clothes and she lost a lot of sweat from running almost two hours. Brian, she’s 5’8”. She should be close to 130, she’s not a supermodel. There’s no way she’ll be able to dance on a tour again without having anything on her.”

“Well, we’ll just set goals.”

”I don’t want to weigh her every day.”

“So don’t. Do it like every other week. So like two weeks we’ll weigh her and she should be about 110, without clothes. Don’t push her to eat too much. She never got the help when she needed it the most so she’s going to be battling with for probably the rest of her life.”

“She’s too good of a person to deserve something like this though,” Nick sighed and picked up the mug of tea.

“I’m going to come up to stay goodnight to her with you,” Brian and Nick came up the stairs and into the room. I sat at the edge of the bed with my knees curled up to my chin. “Hey you,” Brian sat next to me. I didn’t look up from the floor. Brian stood up and kneeled down in front of me.

“I’m sorry I snapped earlier,” I told him still not looking up.

“You can’t keep things in, not when there are so many of that care for you,” Brian took my hands in his and my eyes met his kind blue ones. “Especially with all of this going on with the messages and emails now.” I nodded my head and Brian pulled me to my feet and in for a hug. “Okay, I’ll see you guys in the morning,” he gave Nick a small hug and left the room.

“Feeling any better?” Nick wrapped his arms around me. I shrugged my shoulders a little.

“I’m tired,” I laid my head on his chest. He picked me up and brought me over to the bed.

“Drink some tea while I go get ready for bed,” Nick pointed to the mug that sat on the night stand.

“Thank you,” I sat up and reached for the mug that was steaming. It warmed my hands and I felt a peaceful calm over me. Nick re-entered the bedroom and my lips immediately formed a smile.

“What are you smiling at?” he asked climbing into bed.

“At how good you look in your boxers,” I winked.

“And you look amazing wearing only a towel,” Nick poked his head under the sheets.

“I’m feeling warmed up now,” I put the tea back onto the night stand and took the towel off of me and pulled back the sheets a little. Nick’s eyes traveled from my eyes, slowly down to my feet and back up again.

“Girl you have nothing to be worrying about and you need to trust me, God damn you’re gorgeous!” Nick kissed my neck. “Seriously, you’re perfect,” he kissed my lips and I leaned in kissing him harder. My hand brushed through his long hair and I pulled him into me, kissing his ear and neck. His hand caressed my thigh and over my belly. He began sending a trail of kisses from my jaw bone down to my belly button.

My hands reached down and took off his white tee and I rolled over so I was onto of him.

“Hailey…” he whispered looking into my eyes, asking to continue. I nodded my head and bit my lower lip before leaning into his bubble gum lips again. Needless to say, I did my best making everything up to Nick and had a night neither of us would forget.

I kissed Nick’s forehead as I crawled out of bed. He looked too peaceful and I didn’t want to wake him. I put on a green halter top and a white pair of shorts and threw my hair up into a claw before deciding to make breakfast. I went out into the hall and heard Brian on the phone.

“So, we’re meeting with the lawyer the day after I get back, Tuesday….I understand. Can I talk to Bailey….oh, alright I’ll call later to talk. I know Leigh….I miss what we used to have too but that’s gone…this was your idea…okay …goodbye.” I headed for the stairs and felt such sadness for Brian. He was a great Dad, he was a great husband but his job was overly demanding. I took out some pancake mix and a bowl down from the cupboards.

“You’re up early,” Brian said as he walked into the kitchen. I just grinned at him as I poured the mix into the bowl. “You look much better today…wait a minute…I know that look, what did you two do last night?”

“Nothing…pancakes?” I smiled sweetly.

“Uh huh. And yeah that sounds good, I’m going to make some coffee. Is he still asleep?”

“Yeah, I must’ve worn him out,” I winked.

“I do not need to know the details!” Brian put both of his hands up in the air.

“So, I was thinking, I need to go dancing,” I stirred the mix and leaned against the counter.

“Dancing?”

“Yeah! I haven’t since…well…”

“I know,” Brian nodded his head.

“And I was used to dancing every day, there has to be some good clubbing places around here.”

“I guess so, not really my thing. I’ll call A.J. up he knows the hot spots around here.”

“Let’s go tonight, it is a Friday night! We’re going no if ands or buts! Call, A.J. later!” I ran over to Brian and kissed his cheek while he laughed. I finished making the pancakes and brought them upstairs to Nick.
Nick lay asleep on the right hand side of the bed. One leg hung over the sheets and one arm was over his face.

“Nicky,” I set the food on the night stand and shook Nick gently, kissing his cheek.

“Brian, five more minutes,” he rolled over and I laughed. I decided to kiss him to see what his reaction would be. My lips met his and I slipped my tongue in and out and Nick jumped.

“Ew gross!” I started laughing looking at the sight of Nick.

“I do not taste that bad!” I still laughed.

“Hailey? I thought you were Brian.”

“Does Brian usually wake you up with a kiss?” I asked

“Maybe,” Nick sat up and winked at me. “What’s this?”

“Breakfast! Hungry?”

“I am but I don’t know if I can eat all those eggs!” Nick looked at the large mound on the plate.

“They’re for both of us! We have to get our protein in!”

“Of course!”

Nick and I finished our eggs together and got up to shower and get ready for the day. I walked across the room where I saw a guitar leaning against the closet. Nick had been picking at it a few days ago. I brought it over to the bed, played a few chords and began singing.
“I never promised you a ray of light, I never promised there’d be sunshine every day, I’ll give you everything I have, the good…the bad. Why do you put me on a pedestal…” I head a creek in the floor and looked up to see Nick leaning on his crutches in his towel. His hair dripped water droplets down his bare chest.
“Don’t stop.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” I set the guitar down and walked over to him.

“Did you write that?”

“Been working on it in my head for the last couple of weeks,” I wrapped my arms around him.

“In your head, are you kidding? That sounded great.”

“It’s nothing. Come on get dressed, let’s go to the mall.”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Two Nights Later~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Nick I thought we were going dancing?” I asked as we stepped inside of a small café.

“We will promise, we just like to come here to listen to some live music, have a few drinks and chill. Come on.” I followed Nick, Brian, A.J., Trish and Amber up to a booth. There was a man on the keyboards playing and singing some jazz. We ordered around of cocktails listened as a girl came out singing with two guys; one playing the drums and one playing a guitar. I couldn’t help but notice Nick and Brian exchange glances throughout the songs, at one point, Brian nodded and got up from the table.

“Where is he going?” I asked Nick.
“I’m not sure, bathroom maybe?”

“Thank you Blue Moon’s, up next Hailey James,” some guy said on the small stage. I was in mid taking a sip of my drink and spit it out in front me.

“Thanks babe,” A.J. said wiping his face.

“Did he just, did you, who?” I stuttered over my words. I looked at Nick who just grinned. I then saw Brian come to the table with his guitar in hand.

“That’s for you right Brian?” I asked.

“Nope, for you. Nick told me you were writing a song, you don’t have to sing that one if it’s not ready but could sing ‘That’s What she Said’.” Brian handed me the guitar.

“I can’t, I don’t do this, this is your thing, not me.”

“Aww come on Hale’s, you’ll have fun I promise.” Nick took my hand in his.

“This wasn’t very nice,” I took my hand back and stood up finishing my drink in one gulp. Thankfully I had already had two glasses of wine and was feeling quite nice.

“That’s my girl,” Nick said. I took the guitar out of Brian’s hand and walked up to the stage and sat on the stool. I thought for a minute and then decided to play the song that I had been working on for some time now. I had played it a few times on the guitar, I just didn’t tell Nick about it. Until now, writing music was my little secret. Not anymore. I took in a deep breath, looked at Nick who smiled and nodded his head and played the first chord.

I never promised you a ray of light,
I never promised there'd be sunshine everyday,
I’ll give you everything I have, the good, the bad.
Why do you put me on a pedestal,
I'm so up high that I can't see the ground below,
So help me down you've got it wrong, I don't belong there.
One thing is clear,
I wear a halo,
I wear a halo when you look at me,
But standing from here, you wouldn't say so
you wouldn't say so, if you were me
And I, I just wanna love you,
Oh oh I, I just wanna love you
I always said that I would make mistakes,
I'm only human, and that’s my saving grace,
I fall as hard as I try
So don't be blinded
See me as I really am, I have flaws and sometimes I even sin,
so pull me from that pedestal,
I don't belong there.
One thing is clear,
I wear a halo,
I wear a halo when you look at me,
But standing from here, you wouldn't say so
you wouldn't say so, if you were me
And I, I just wanna love you,
Oh oh I, I just wanna love you


Why you think that you know me
But In your eyes
I am something above you
It’s only in your mind
Only in your mind
I wear a
I wear a
I wear a Halo

One thing is clear,
I wear a halo,
I wear a halo when you look at me,
But standing from here, you wouldn't say so
you wouldn't say so, if you were me
And I, I just wanna love you,
Oh oh I, I just wanna love you
Halo, h-h-halo, halo, h-halo,h-h-halo, halo –from One Tree Hill Soundtrack

By the time I was done with the song, I had stood up the stool and had been singing into the mic and directly into Nick’s eyes. He looked at me intently with the other guys looking at him. The crowd all clapped and I walked down the stage slowly and Nick stood up.

“Ha-Hailey, you were, that was, damn,” Nick pulled me into a hug and I handed Brian his guitar.

“Serious girl, you wrote that?” A.J. asked. I nodded my head.

“So, how about some dancing?” I asked drinking some of Nick’s water.

“I’d rather listen to you sing all night,” Brian told me smiling.

“Eh, I’m not trained like ya’ll, I don’t think my voice could do that again.”

“Do you have more songs?” Trish asked me.

“A few bits and pieces, I haven’t had the time to do it like I used to. It was just a small hobby,” I shrugged my shoulders. “Come on dancing time!” I took my purse from the chair and headed to the door.
_________________


“Are you sure you don’t mind me drinking Nicky? I mean I know you can’t because of your pain killers…”

“No, you need to let loose and just have fun tonight,” Nick put his arm around my waist and pulled me in for a kiss.

“Well, thank you. Just let me know when you want to head out. A.J. this is a rocking club!”

“It’s one of the better ones, more class!” he cheered his drink with my banana rum with pineapple juice.

“Hailey, how did you come up with that song you sang earlier?” Nick asked me as I sat on his lap.

“Easy, it just sorta came to me one day when I was thinking of you and for all the @#%$ I keep putting you through with me,” I pecked his lips.

“Hails, I well, this probably isn’t the best time to tell you but, I love you.” His eyes were sincere, the bluest I have seen them. I felt immediately sobered and took a sharp deep breath in. I studied his face and then pulled him in for a kiss.

“I love you,” I pulled away and he held me closer to him. We stayed this for a little when I pulled away.

“I want to dance! Will you try?” I fluttered my eye lashes up at Nick. Nick looked at his watch and then back at me.

“Babe there is just no way I can. I promise as soon as I’m off the crutches and out of the cast you and I will go dancing as much as you want. Brian take her out on the dance floor!” He looked down at his hand

“That’s like the tenth time you’ve checked your watch, have a hot date?”

“Maybe.” He grinned his adorable, irresistible smile. I was about to say something when I felt someone pull me to them.

“Come on you heard the man!” Brian had come over with drink in hand, picked me up and threw me over his shoulder and brought us out to the dance floor. A.J. and Trish followed us. It felt good to move and dance, moving my body with the music and against Brian’s body. I hadn’t danced since before the last show.

“So who the hell drinks banana rum with pineapple?” a voice asked me. I turned from A.J. whom I was dancing with at this point of the night.

“Ahhh!” I screamed as soon as I saw who it was. “Katie what are you doing here?!” I yelled pulling her into a hug. She handed me a drink and smiled.

“Your BOYFRIEND, yeah when did that happen? Nick called and told me to get my butt down here. I literally came from the airport to here. I had to change on the plane.” I took my phone out of my pocket to see the time. It was one am; at least the bars didn’t close until four.

“I can’t believe you are here! I have missed you and yes Nick and I are together, I’m sorry I never called you to tell you that, it’s been a while. My fault, things have been crazy! I have to go thank Nick. Come on!” I took her hand.

“Someone is feeling good tonight,” Katie laughed as I pulled her to where Nick was sitting. He was talking with Amber sipping a cola.

“BABY I LOVE YOU! Thank you for flying her here!” I jumped on Nick’s lap and kissed him.

“Whoa! You are more than welcome. I thought you missed her a little and needed some girl time.”

“Well, I will give you some of me time later!” I winked. “Darlin’ I think I’m going to head home though, I’m tired and the leg is getting sore.”

“Aww no!” I pouted my and he kissed my lower lip.

“Stay and have fun, Brian, A.J. and them are staying. Please, have fun with Katie.”

“Thank you again, it’s a wonderful surprise.” I got off Nick’s lap and he stood up. I handed him his crutches. “How are you getting home?”

“I’m taking him, I’m beat too!” Amber piped up slinging her purse over her shoulder. I felt my stomach drop and I looked at Nick.

“Oh,” was all I got out and Nick pulled me in for a hug.

“Relax, have fun. I’ll see you in a few hours.” He kissed my forehead and walked out with Amber.

“Let’s go girl Justin Timberlake’s “Sexy Back” is on!” Katie pulled my arm and I immediately snapped out of jealousy.

“Alright I love you,” I kissed Nick.

“I love you. I’m proud of you for tonight, now go drink, let loose and I’ll see you in a few hours.” He kissed my forehead and I let Katie pull me to the dance floor.

~*~*~*~*~Three Hours Later~*~*~*~*~

“Brian who’s going to be going home with us?” I asked slinging my arms around his neck.

“You mean how are we getting home?”

“No who is going home with us because I don’t see A.J. or Trish and Katie is all over that guy,” I pointed over the bar where Katie was flirting with this tall, dark attractive man, who claims to be a model for Tommy Hilfiger.

“Well, we’ll have each other,” Brian laughed and spun me around.

“Right after I pee!” I pulled away and ran to the bathroom. I walked into the bathroom, there were three girls in front of the mirror and I went into the stall. My phone was vibrating like crazy in my purse and I opened it up. I had a text message from Nick saying “ I love you” a text from Katie asking where I was and then three from someone I didn’t know saying “I’m watching you.” “Well, I hope you’re watching me, ‘cause I am hot tonight,” I laughed to myself throwing my phone into my purse. I did my business and walked to the sink to wash my hands.

Nick’s House: Nick’s POV
“I’m Mario so I’m first,” I told Amber who was setting up our controllers to play Nintendo.

“Yes, Nick, you’ve told me that three times,” Amber sat next to me on the couch and we began playing.

“I just had to be sure you knew the rules,” I laughed.

“Rules huh? Ya know speaking of rules, that’s amazing you trust Hailey to just go out dancing and drinking tonight without you.”

“How is that related to rules? I trust her and besides she needs this. I would be there but she also needs time to be her, ya know?”

“I guess,” Amber shrugged her shoulders and I started the first level.

At the Club: Hailey’s POV
“Okay girl, time to slow the drinks down,” I held onto the sink in the bathroom to compose myself. I splashed some cold water on my face and thought about asking Brian to have the car bring us home. I wanted to see my man, which I just declared love for. I smiled to myself as I thought of Nick. I ran a finger underneath my eyes to rid any smudge of mascara and pushed the door open out of the bathroom. As I pushed it open, I felt myself being pushed back inside.
“Get in!” The voice yelled, turned his back and he locked the door.

“Who are you?” My back was pressed against the cool tile and I felt my heart to begin racing.

“Oh, I think you know. I believe you were told to stay away from the Nickolas Carter, Miss James,” the man with a mask on his face edged closer to me. I let out a small gasp and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This couldn’t be the same stalker who had been sending me threats. I was pretty sure, even the cops were pretty sure it was a woman.

“What do you want with me?”

“Just some play time, now don’t move and this wont hurt a bit,” his leather gloved hand pined my shoulders to the wall; his other ungloved hand began unzipping his pants. I lifted my knee up and kneed him in the groan and took off for the door, he grabbed my long hair and pulled me to the ground. Who was I kidding, this guy was taller than Nick at least six three.

“I’ll give you whatever money you need, just let me go!”

“I don’t think so. Now, the less you struggle, the less it will hurt and then we can just get it over.” I opened my mouth to scream and he shoved a small pill into the back of my throat and choked it down. “Just something to help calm you down, it should kick in within two minutes,” His gloved hand covered my mouth while he held me to his chest.

Tears threatened to fall from my eyes and I was scared, already disoriented from the alcohol I had in my system and now I had a date rape pill down my throat. I heard knocks on the bathroom door and I tried to let out a scream through his gloved hand. I felt my phone vibrate in my purse I slowly reached in and hit the send button to answer it.

“See now, you’re calming down and I won’t hurt you if you just do as I say. If I let go of you, do you promise not to scream?” I nodded my head, my eyes felt heavy and I struggled to keep them open. “Ahh, our medicine is kicking in.”

“Wouldn’t you rather take me to your car or outside at least, people are going to try to get in,” my speech slurred a little and I felt weaker. “I mean the GIRLS BATHROOM in a BAR is not really safe,” I raised my voice hoping whomever was on the other line could hear me.

“Nah, they’ll go away if they come a knocking while I’m @#%$ your pretty little head off. Oh, stay awake now, I don’t want you to miss all of it,” he stroked my hair back.

“HAILEY?” a voice came over my phone loud. My eyes shot up into the dark brown eyes of the man who had control over me. “Are you OKAY?”

“What did you do?” He reached into my purse and took out my phone.

“HELP!! I’M IN THE GIRLS BATHROOM IN THE BAR!” I yelled and before I knew it I was thrown across the room hitting hard into the wall. I slammed my head hard onto the ground. I tried to stand but between the alcohol, the pill and now most likely a concussion everything was spinning and fast.

Nick’s House: Nick’s POV
“Are you going to make me pass ALL of the levels Amber?” I asked as I completed World Three of Mario.

“Are you going to die so I can get a chance to play?” She threw her controller down onto the floor and put one leg over my lap and sat on me. “Let’s have a screw driver,” she said standing up.

“I probably shouldn’t, because—”

“Your pills? Please, I used to only take pills when I was drinking, it’s a kind of high, and you’ll like it. Nothing bad promise, it’s not like doing drugs no worries. Where is your vodka?”

“Freezer,” I said standing up and shrugging my shoulders. I figured Hailey would be coming home drunk soon anyway, why not join the fun just a little. “Just one drink for me though,” I told her matter of fact. I knew though that one drink never meant one drink.

Bar: Brian’s POV

I was closing my tab at the bar when Katie came running up to me.

“BRIAN! Something’s wrong with Hailey, I called her and she picked up but didn’t really and I heard her talking to a voice, it was a male, I think she’s in the bathroom, but I can’t get the door opened it’s locked, I heard a scream, I don’t know where she is, if she’s even in there—”

“Whoa slow down,” Katie was talking at a million miles per hour. I took my hands on her shoulders. “You think she’s in the bathroom?” Katie nodded her head and I could tell she was freaked out. I went up to a bar tender. “Excuse me, I think we have a situation in the woman’s bathroom and the door is locked, do you have a key?”

“Sure do, probably a younger couple getting it on, not the first time,” the woman came out from behind the bar with a set of keys. We followed her briskly to the bathroom and I held Katie’s hand in mine so we wouldn’t be split up, there was a line outside the bathroom now of angry girls who had to use it. The bar tender fiddled around with some keys to find the right one.

Hailey’s POV:

I struggled to stand up, using every inch of will in me to not fall asleep. I pulled myself up using the wall for help and the man came to me quickly. My cell phone had been a victim of the bottom of his foot when he heard the phone call. I tried to kick at him and he grabbed my leg and twisted it around. I cried out and fell to the ground. My knee had made a loud pop and I knew immediately it was dislocated.

“Aww see what you made me do cupcake? I forgot you had surgery on that knee a few times,” he pulled his pants down and then continued to pull down my black capri’s along with my underwear. His hand was over my throat choking me now so that I couldn’t scream, my eyes became impossible to keep open and I felt myself slip into blackness.

Nick’s House: Nick’s POV

“Nicky you’re so funny! I wish we would’ve gotten closer over the tour, but next time right?” Amber asked clicking her glass against mine for the tenth time on our third glass.

“Of course girl!”

“Nick you have an amazing body, does your girlfriend appreciate that?”

“Of course!”

“Do you say anything else? Come on, another round!”

“Of course!” I held my empty glass up and let her pour me another glass of vodka topping it off with orange juice. “You know what my leg doesn’t even hurt anymore! This is miracle juice!” I kissed Amber’s cheek.

“Of course it is honey, see just let me take care of you!” Amber slide her arm around my waist and kissed my lips softly. Her perfume was strong but not overwhelming, almost like a drug, I wanted to smell her and breathe her.

“Mmm,” I let out a soft moan.

“Something you like Nick?” she asked me running her finger up my neck, around my ear, and tracing a line to my lips.

“You smell …good,” I smiled drinking out of my glass.

“I was thinking the same thing, let’s go into the living room. Want me to carry your glass so you can get your crutches?”

“Nah, I, don’t need them. Your medicine made me better!” I held the glass in my left hand, put my right arm around Amber’s shoulders and we walked into the living room. I ended up tripping over my cast and I dumped the class onto the floor.

“Maybe you did need them,” Amber laughed.

“My medicine is all gone!” I pouted.

“Shh now, I have some more,” before I knew it Amber was kissing my neck.

At the Club: Brian’s POV

As soon as the bartender had opened the door, I saw a rather large man on the ground over with someone. I noticed Hailey’s silver ankle bracelet on and pushed through the bartender and pulled the guy off. He stood up and ran out the door. The bartender took off after him calling for back up.

“KATIE CALL 911!” I yelled and knelt down by Hailey. I carefully pulled her pants up all the way; I couldn’t believe this had happened. I heard her start letting out small cries. “Shh you’re going to be alright baby, keep still. We’re getting you some help.” Her eyes struggled to open and she reached a hand out to me, I took her hand in mine and squeezed it.

“Brian, I’m sorry,” her voice trembled and she looked into my eyes.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. What hurts?”

“Everything. Brian where’s Nick?”

“I’ll call him as soon as the ambulance comes,” I watched her head nod and she closed her eyes. “Stay awake for me.”

“I’m so tired, he made me take something and I hit my head pretty hard.”

“A drink?”

“No…some kind of pill. Brian it was him, the stalker.”

“Watch out coming through,” two paramedics came in with a stretcher.

At Nick’s House:

Amber kissed my neck, pulled my shirt off and threw it on the floor. She ran her hands down my stomach and dug her nails into my back. She then took the liberty of pulling her own shirt off, revealing her black laced bra. Our lips met and we continued to kiss hungrily. Everything happened so fast, the room spun around me; it was a sort of high sensation. I never heard or felt my phone vibrating.

Hospital: Brian’s POV:

“Come on Nick pick up,” I paced back and forth in the waiting room. I looked over at Katie who was crying in a chair, her knees tucked up to her chin. Poor thing. The voicemail picked up; “Hey what’s up? HA just kidding, I’m not here, leave your message, BEEP,” “Nick its Brian, call me as soon as you get this. It’s Hailey…just call me,” I hung up the phone and sat down next to her.

“Brian did he actually…you know…rape her?”

“I-I don’t know,” I put my arm around her shoulder. “I hope they caught the bastard.”

“We’ve been waiting here for over an hour. I’m going to go get us some coffee.” I nodded my head and watched as she disappeared down the hall. I couldn’t believe this was happening; everything was going so well, why didn’t I follow her to the bathroom? I ran my fingers through my hair and let out a sigh. I called A.J. because he had actually left the club just before I had found Hailey.

“Rok, don’t you know I’m with a special lady tonight?” A.J. grumbled into the phone.

“A.J. I’m in the hospital…”

“What happened, are you okay?” His voice picked up. I could hear Trish ask what was going on in the background.

“It’s Hailey…she was attacked, I’m waiting to see a doctor. I don’t know anything but, I have Katie down here, would you mind coming down, we don’t have a car or anything.”

“Sure man, be there in a half hour.”

“Thanks.” I hung up and Katie came back with two steaming cups of coffee.

“Here, it’s hospital coffee, so don’t expect Starbuck’s flavor,” she let a half smile show.

“It’s perfect,” we went to sit down when a doctor came up to us.

“Hailey James party?” Party? What was this a restaurant?

“That’s us, how is she?”

“Surprisingly she’s going to be okay.”

“Thank God, doctor was she raped?” the last word I found myself almost choking out.

“Well, that’s supposed to be confidential but she told me it’s okay to tell you anything. But she was not thankfully. You came in just in time. She does however have a concussion, a few bruises and dislocated knee.” I said a silent prayer just knowing she had not been rapped and was going to be okay.

“Can we see her?” Katie spoke up as she clenched my hand in hers.

“Actually, she’s going to be released soon. She’s filling out some paper work, I think she’ll get a better night’s rest at home than here in a hospital. I am giving her a prescription for her concussion and knee, she’s probably in a lot of pain but isn’t letting on. I am also going to suggest her seeing a therapist, this was a pretty big trauma, and I’d keep a close eye on her. She’s just finishing up some questions with the police and then going to be fitted for a immobilizer for her knee.”

“Thank you,” I shook the doctor’s hand and he nodded his head. He gave us the hall number and we walked down the hall to where she was. “Hailey?” I asked through a green curtain.

“Come in Brian,” I heard her voice. She was sitting up on a gurney, knee propped up on a pillow with an ice pack on it. I went up to her bed and wrapped my arms around her.

“Thank God,” I whispered, kissed her cheek and pulled her in for another hug.

“I’m alright, I’m tough,” she let out a small laugh. Katie went on her other side and hugged her.

“I’m so sorry girl,” I saw tears start to fall from Katie’s eyes.

“No, you did nothing. Did you call Nick ?”

“I’ve tried honey, I think he may have passed out, A.J. is on his way to take us home.” I saw her chin drop and she looked disappointed. Just then a cheerful nurse came in.

“Excuse me but I need to get this on Miss James so she may go home and get some rest. How are we doing Dear besides the obvious?”

“I’ll be okay, I just need to sleep.”

“It is six am, here are your prescriptions for any pain. The doctor told me you don’t need crutches?”

“I have them at home, this is a frequent thing for me,” she shrugged her shoulders and winced as the nurse put her brace on. I wanted to take her in my arms, hold her and tell her that everything was going to be okay.

“Alright you’re all set, let’s just get you in this wheel chair,” the nurse wheeled the chair over to the bed.

“If you don’t mind I’d like him to help me?” her voice made her sound like a five year old as she looked at me.

“Not at all, gives these old bones a break, now you take care.” She smiled and left the room.

“Okay you ready?” I asked her helping her sit up.

“Yeah, I just want to go to bed,” she brought a hand up to her head and she closed her eyes tight.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay the night with that concussion?”

“Brian please?”

“Okay,” she put one arm around my neck and I gently picked her up from the bed and down onto the chair. I fixed the right leg rest so it was up horizontal. I wheeled her out into the waiting room where A.J. and Trish were.

“They’re releasing you already?” Trish spoke as soon as we were close enough.

“They said a good nights rest in her own bed is what she needs,” I told them. A.J. knelt down hugging her, he looked up at me and I shook my head knowing what his eyes were asking.

“Alright let’s you guys home,” A.J. announced and we went out to where his car was. Trish sat in the back by herself and I sat in the middle row of the Escalade with Hailey. She had her back against me and legs up on the seat. My arms wrapped around her and I held her hand in mine, it wasn’t five minutes and she was sound asleep.

Within forty-five minutes we made it to Nick’s house. “Why don’t you guys spend the night, it’s really early…or really late, depends on how you look at it,” I told them as we pulled up the drive way.

“Yeah that’s not a bad idea, A.J?” Trish asked sleepily.

“Sounds good.” I undid my seat belt and gently lifted Hailey off of my shoulder. A.J. opened the door for me.

“Brian?” Hailey asked as she opened her eyes.

“We’re here,” I slid out of the car and helped her down.

“Want me to carry, or go get your crutches?”

“I’ll walk, just help,” I took her arm around my shoulder and Katie got on her other side to help. I could tell she was in a great amount of pain but I wasn’t about to argue what was best for her right now. We went up to the door and I took my keys out to unlock the door. The five us on quietly went inside and I saw the lights were on in the living room.

“Nick?” Hailey called out softly. We walked into the living room and none of us were prepared for what we were about to see.

Hailey’s POV

Using Brian and Katie as crutches we slowly made our way into the lit living room. “Nick?” I called out. When we stepped over the thresh hole I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My stomach turned and I felt sick. I could feel my legs buckling and Brian swung around in front of me catching me.

Amber was lying on the couch with Nick, a blanket covered their lower halves and their tops were on the ground, next to two pairs of jeans, an empty vodka bottle and two glasses. Nick’s arm was around Amber and she was snuggled into his chest.

“Brian get me out of here,” I shut my eyes tight, my face buried in his chest. He swiftly picked me up and carried me towards the kitchen. Tears stung my eyes but I couldn’t bring myself to release them. My eyes were so tired, my body was tired, my head pounded, my knee ached and my heart was broken.

“Hails, I don’t know what to say,” Brian set me on a chair at the table.

“You don’t have to say anything for his actions; do you think A.J. could take us back to his house? I feel terrible for putting you guys through this but I just cannot be here right now.”

“You don’t have to ask, go ahead in the car; Katie’s already gone up the stairs to get your things,” A.J.’s voice was cold and I knew he was angry. I stood up using the table to help me and my body was weak and I sat back down. I slammed my fist on the table and dropped my head to my arm that lay on the table.

Without saying a word Brian picked me up and carried me out to the car where we got back into our original positions. Katie soon followed with Trish and we waited for A.J. I hoped to God he wasn’t waking up Nick because I just couldn’t deal right now. A minute later A.J. showed up and got into his car.
“What were you doing?” Trish asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said starting the car.

The ride was deathly quiet, I was so tired but I couldn’t seem to close my eyes. We go to A.J.’s house and Brian brought me up to the guest room. I changed into a pair of pajamas and lay on the bed. I heard a knock on the door and I assumed it was Brian.

“Come in,” my voice was shaky.

“I brought you some water to take your pills,” he handed me the glass and two pills. I took them gratefully and swallowed. “I’ll let you get some sleep, just call me if you need me, I’ll have my phone by me,” he kissed my fore head and stared for the door.

“Brian wait,” I set the glass down next to the bed. He turned from the door frame and smiled. “Could you sleep with me tonight? I-I can’t be alone right now.” Brian came and sat down on the bed, took off his jeans, leaving on his boxers and t-shirt. He turned off the lights and climbed under the sheets. I laid my head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around me. I couldn’t help but think that his arms were supposed to be Nick’s. I tried to keep my tears in but a loud sob came out and the tears started.

~*~*~*~*~*~Later that Morning: Brian’s POV~*~*~*~*~*~

I woke up to my phone ringing and picked it up next to me. I glanced at the clock and it read ten am.

“Two hours of sleep,” I said to no one but myself. Hailey slept peacefully next to me, she cried for almost three hours straight and I just let her because I knew that’s what she needed, that and sleep. “Hello?” I asked quietly into the phone.

“Brian, where are you? Where’s Hailey?” It was Nick, great. I carefully got out of bed and walked out of the room and into the kitchen.

“Nick, hey,” I didn’t know what to do or say.

“Did you guys come by last night? I had this picture of Amber and I on my phone, I don’t remember taking it, I don’t even remember last night at all.” That’s what A.J. must’ve done, taken Nick’s phone and took a picture of the two.

“Yeah we came by,” let him do the talking for now I thought.

“Oh God, Hailey is going to kill me, did she see well us?”

“Yeah, Nick look can I meet you somewhere to talk?”

“Yes, is Hailey okay? Where are you?”

“I’ll meet you at that diner off of first and third, give me an hour to shower.”

“Okay, Brian I screwed up…bad,” Nick’s voice was depressed but it was his choices and after he heard about what happened to Hailey, things were only going to get worse. I showered and borrowed some clothes from A.J. letting him know where I was going.

“Does he have any idea how much of a great thing he just ruined? And after everything she just went through, she needs him the most right now,” A.J. shook his head.

“I’m going to go and find out, just check on her in a little bit, she hasn’t moved since she fell asleep and I just don’t know with her concussion and all.”
“You got it, good luck. Slap Nick across the head for me will ya?”

I took A.J.’s keys and got into his car to go meet Nick. On the way there I contemplated on whether or not I should tell him what happened, he should know but would it make matters worse? Maybe he never even did anything with Amber, maybe they just got drunk, took their clothes off and fell asleep? It’s Nick we’re talking about here, anything is possible.

When I arrived at the dinner Nick was already in a booth with sunglasses on, his crutches against the wall. I walked up to him slowly, I felt nervous, this was my best friend here, my brother but I couldn’t look at him the same way.

“Hey,” I said sitting down.

“I ordered us some coffee,” Nick pointed to the two cups on the table. I nodded my head and took a sip of the warm comforting drink. I knew I was going to need at least two more cups before their talk was over.

“Nick, I need to know, did you two have sex?” I set the cup down and clasped my hands around it. Nick took off his sunglasses. He looked terrible.

“It honestly just happened—”

“Nick what were you thinking?!” I cut him off.

“We started drinking, and I shouldn’t have mixed with my pain killers and one thing lead to the next, I don’t remember any of it. Brian you have to believe me, I would never hurt her like this intentionally, I love her.” His voice quivered and tears fell from his eyes. I let out a sigh; I knew everything he was saying was true.

“Nick, we tried calling you last night before we came over…we didn’t get in until after six am.”

“I never heard my phone,” Nick ran his hand through his long locks. He looked like a kid who just got grounded.

“Hailey…last night before we were about to leave she went to the bathroom. Nick she was attacked by her stalker.” Nick’s eyes grew wide and I continued before he had a chance to talk. “He tried to rape her, he wasn’t successful thank God but she got beat up pretty good. A concussion, bruises and dislocated knee.”

“Jesus,” was all Nick said.

“We took her to the hospital, they cleared her within a few hours and we went home to see you. All she wanted to do was be in your arms when she got home. And what did she find when she got home? Amber in your arms, both of you naked. I don’t know what’s worse, the fact she caught you with another girl or the fact it was with Amber.” I felt my voice start to rise and Nick now had tears streaming down his face. “Nick, she went through pure hell last night and I had to hold her while she cried for t here hours straight and tired her self out.”

“I need to go see her,” Nick went to stand up and I put my hand on his.

“Not yet Nick. She needs her rest right now, besides I think A.J. may kill you if sees you just yet. Give her some time.”

“I never met for her to get hurt Brian, God when she needed me the most I wasn’t there.”

“We’ll figure this out,” I went on Nick’s side of the booth and put an arm around him.


Ch. 36 Hailey’s POV:
I opened my eyes and blinked a few times, adjusting the daylight that was being let through the window. My body felt like it had been hit by a truck when I tried to sit up, my head throbbed. Last nights events came flooding into my mind; me singing my song for the first time, the drinks, Katie coming, dancing, the bathroom, being thrown across the tile floor…the hospital…naked Amber in Nick’s arms. I felt extremely nauseous and pulled the blankets off of my legs and carefully tried to stand up. There was no way my knee was holding me, it was in excruciating pain and I sat back down. I looked next to the bed and thankfully there was a trash can, I picked it up, hugging it to my chest and threw up last nights dinner and drinks.

“Hailey?” Katie came into the room and sat by my side. She rubbed my back as I finished throwing up. She pulled some tissues out of a box off the dresser and handed them to me. I wiped my mouth and put the can on the floor and lay back onto the bed. “What can I get you?”

“Water,” my voice was hoarse and left the room. My head felt worse and I wasn’t too sure if it was from the drinking, from the concussion or the pill I was slipped. My guess was all three. Katie came back in with water and Brian.

“Here you go,” she helped me sit up and I drank the water thirstily and laid my head on her shoulder.

“I need to shower, Brian are my crutches here?”

“@#%$, I was going to pick them up while I was out. You were sorta walking last night, want to try?” I shook my head no.

“I already tried, that’s why I threw up in A.J.’s nice trash can, I need to get an MRI on my knee, I’m pretty sure I tore my ACL again.” I moaned and sat up all the way. “You were already out? Did you go see Nick?” I asked Brian. He hesitated for a minute; I knew it was hard for him.

“I did, Hailey I know what he did is inexcusable but he wants to talk to you. Do you want me to have him come over?”

“No.” My voice was short because I was afraid that if I continued to talk I’d start crying.

“Okay, I’ll help you into the shower and have A.J. get your crutches,” Brian came closer to me.

“Do you want me to go with him and bring you anything hon.?” Katie asked in concern. I felt horrible for her, here she came to surprise me and has to be put through all of this.

“Yeah, if you could get all of my things, that would be great,” I took another sip out of my water. Katie looked at Brian who just nodded his head. Katie left the room and Brian sat next to me.

“Hales?”

“God Brian, everything hurts,” I put my face in my hands and the tears I had been holding back began falling.

“I know, let it out.”
Brian’s POV:
I pulled Hailey into my arms once again as she continued to cry.

“I’m sorry, I’m being such a baby, I’m done,” she sat up and used a tissue to dry her tears.

“Hailey, you’ve been through a lot, I think it’s best for you to let everything out,” I told her rubbing her hair out of her face. I gently brushed my fingers over her bruised cheek and was careful not to touch the cut on her bottom lip. I felt this immediate anger for this person who hurt her; I wondered if they had caught the monster that had done this.

“Brian, I’d like to shower and just wash away last night,” her bright blue eyes looked up at me.

“Your knee really that bad?” She nodded her head, her face looking sad. She’s been through enough with her knee to know what just a bad sprain was and what was more. I picked her up in my arms and took her to the guest bathroom. I sat her on a chair that was in the bathroom and started the shower for her.

“Thank you…for everything,” she said un-strapping her knee brace.

“Shh, you don’t need to,” I kissed my forehead and I helped her un-strap the rest of the Velcro straps. “Baby that’s swollen,” he gently ran his fingers over my knee cap.

“It feels worse than it looks,” I winked and he shook his head.

“How do you want to do this? Would you rather take a bath? I don’t think you’re going to be able to stand on one leg that long,” his eyes were full of concern and I love him for that, for being there.

“I’ll be quick, I need to just get this feeling off of me.”

“What feeling?” She just shook her head and I picked her up and sat her down on the edge of the tub. “Okay, I’ll leave the door open so just call when you’re read, I’ll be right outside the door.

“Brian could you stay in here?”

I smiled at her and nodded my head, “I’ll give you a minute to get in then I’ll come right in.”

“Thanks.” I left the room for a minute until I heard her say “Okay.” I sat down on the chair and pulled my phone out to text Nick.
She is not ready to see u yet. Give her some time.
My phone vibrated right away:
How much time?
I sent back: I’m not sure. She is in a lot of physical pain.
I don’t think she has been able to think about everything really.
Nick:  I need to see her.
Me: I know Nick. Time heels everything though. I will call u later. A.J. and Katie on way over to get her things.
Nick: A.J. is going to kill me when he sees me. I’m surprised u still are talking to me.
Me: Nick you still are and will always be my best friend but I also need to be here for Hales.
Nick: I know…thank u for being there for her when I’m not. It means a lot. I’m so sorry Bri.
Me: Hang in there.

I put my phone back into my pocket.

“Hailey you about ready? We should probably ice that knee,” I asked.

“Uh-yeah just another couple of minutes,” her voice was shaky and I heard her cough.

“What else are you doing?”

“I-I can’t get clean, Brian, it wont come off,” her voice was clear that she was crying now. I stood up and walked up to the shower.

“What won’t come off Hon?”

“It’s all over me, his hands, they were all over…” her voice trailed off and I peeked through the shower, her back was to me and I saw her scrubbing her body hard with a wash cloth. I turned off the faucet and put a towel around her.
“It’s all off,” I told her softly and took the washcloth out of her hands and put it on the ledge. Her arms were red as sunburn and she was coughing pretty badly. “Come on,” I picked her up with her town wrapped around her, her right leg remained straight as I brought her back into the bedroom. I looked into her purse where I knew her inhaler was and handed it to her after I shook it. She took two puffs and lied her head down on the pillow. I sat next to her and looked up and down at her. Her legs were read, arms, neck and chest. I wanted to take away all the pain she had.

“No asthma attacks on me, you tell me if you need your inhaler sooner,” I said rubbing her arms gently. She nodded her head. “Here put these on, they’ll probably be too big but they will work until they get back with your clothes,” I handed her a pair of boxers and a sweatshirt. I walked out to get her knee brace and let her get dressed.

“Hey how is she doing?” A.J. asked coming up the stairs with her crutches and suitcase.

“Not well, she was in the shower for ten minutes just scrubbing her body, she told me she couldn’t get him off,” I took the crutches from his hand.

“Poor thing, is she sleeping?”

“No, I gave her our clothes to put on for now. You didn’t kill Nick did you?”

“Nick who?”

“A.J.—”

“No, he was playing his drums and Katie wouldn’t let me hurt him. How could he ruin the best thing he had ever?”

“It was a mistake, a stupid one but we all make them,” I told A.J.

“I know but just the whole timing thing, it’s unbelievable.”

“Well, we had the accident at the concert, then she was well, attacked and then Nick cheated on her, things come in three’s so it should be over.”

“Brian?” Hailey called out. I went into her room and she sat up on the bed, her left leg on the ground and right one up on the bed.

“You ready sweetheart?” she nodded her head.

“Here have these for you,” I sat the crutches next to her and started to put her brace back on.

“If we’re going to ice, could you just bring me downstairs? It’s a pain to get this thing on and off,” she had a point.

“Of course,” I picked her up, A.J. brought the crutches and brace down and we went into the living room. Katie and Trish were making some lunch. I sat her down on the couch, put a couple pillows under her leg and went to get her some ice.
Hailey’s POV:

“Here you go, turkey sandwich on wheat, dry with tomato, just how you like it,” Katie handed me a plate with a sandwich on it. I thanked her and took a small bite. My stomach still felt queasy.

“Ice!” Brian yelled lying a towel over my knee and gently placed a large bag of ice over my knee. “Need anything else?”

“Could I have one of my pills, my head is pounding still.”

“Yeah you will for a bit, I’ve had a concussion before,” Trish said.

“What do you want to drink?” Brian asked.

“Water please,” I pulled a half smile and took another bite of my sandwich. I then heard A.J. arguing with someone.

“It’s best if you’re not here man, I told you that earlier,” A.J. told Nick.

“Just give me five minutes, Brain come on please, I need to see her,” Nick’s voice now rose and I felt butterflies in my stomach hearing his voice. A part of me wanted to be in his arms, the other part waned me to cut his arms off.

“Time Nick, I told you time, she needs rest,” Brian told him sternly.

“I need give minutes,” Nick pushed past Brian and A.J. As soon as he came into the living room, I dropped my plate to the ground and sat up a little more. I felt nauseous again and my heart began to race. Nick stopped in his tracks when his eyes met mine. “Hailey,” he whispered and my eyes fell to my hands, I couldn’t look at him. It hurt too much.

“Hailey please listen to me, it was a mistake, a dumb one. I got drunk, mixed with my pain killers; I didn’t know what was happening. I won’t ever talk to her again, the night meant nothing clearly. Baby I love you,” he took a few steps closer to me. “I’m so sorry, and I know you probably won’t ever forgive me but you have to believe me that it was nothing.”

I didn’t say anything, I couldn’t speak, I didn’t want to cry, not in front of him, he didn’t deserve to see y tears.

“I was so scared when you weren’t home this morning and when I talked to Brian he told everything that happened and I just wanted to kill myself for not being there, to protect you, like I should’ve been.” He fell to his knees, now close to the couch. He reached for my hand and I snatched it back. I took my crutches that were next to me and stood up. I felt extremely weak but I couldn’t show him that, or I didn’t want to. Nick then stood up. “Talk to me, say something!” His voice rose I stopped where I was and turned around to face him.

“I don’t ever want to see you again. I don’t want you to try to call me, or talk to me in any way. I want you out of my life,” my voice was paced but quiet.

“Hales you don’t—”

“I mean it!” I turned back around and started to walk, I saw the four in the door way and walked up to them. I walked up to Katie and leaned into her, “I feel like I’m going to pass out,” I whispered and she pulled me in for a hug.

“A.J. help me with her,” Katie told him as the crutches fell to the ground. A.J. picked me up, waited until he saw Brian take Nick out of the living room and brought me back into the living room.

“Try to get some rest, he’s gone,” A.J. kissed my cheek and I turned and faced inward towards the back of the couch.


“Nick, it’s time for you to go, it’s too soon I told you,” Brian’s voice was sincere and I knew he was hurting for his friend. Nick let the tears fall freely from his eyes, down his cheeks and walked out of the house with Brian.

Hailey’s POV

“You are mine and you will no longer be with that Backstreet Boy,” the masked guy ran his hand up my leg, under my shirt and started caressing my breast.

“No, get off me!” my shoulders were pined down so hard, I couldn’t lift my head, I tried screaming but nothing came out of my voice. I felt my pants slip down my hips, he unzipped his black jeans, it was really going to happen and there was nothing I could do. “Nooo!”

“Hailey, Hailey wake up,” Brain shook my shoulders.

“Get off me, no!” I sat up screaming and felt my body embraced.

“Shh, it’s just me, calm down,” Brian rocked me back and forth. My sweatshirt clung to my chest and back with sweat, I had beads of sweat dripping from my forehead and my breathing was rapid.

“I thought…it was real,” I gripped onto Brian as though I were going to fall.

“It was a bad dream,” his voice was soft and reassuring.

“What time is it?”

“Midnight, you fell asleep on the couch, I didn’t want to wake you so I let you stay down here,” Brian brushed back pieces of my hair out of my face.

“How did you hear me?”

“I was sleeping on the other sofa. Let me get you some water you are sweating like crazy,” he stood up and turned a light on to go into the kitchen. A minute later Brian came out with a glass of ice water and a wet towel. He handed me the water and I drank as though I haven’t had water in weeks. He patted my forehead and the back of my neck with the cold towel.

“Thank you,” I smiled and handed him the glass. He looked at me with worry in his eyes. “I’m sorry I woke you, you can go upstairs if you want.”

“No, I’m glad to be here with you. I am going to say that I am worried, you had a nightmare last night too.”

“Yeah, I don’t know how much more sweat I can lose though,” I tugged on my oversized sweatshirt.

“Let’s go get you some dry PJ’s and sleep in the comfortable bed.”

“Sounds good,” I pulled the blanket off of me and picked up my crutches that were on the ground. Brian helped me stand up and we went upstairs. I changed into a tank top and a pair of shorts and sat on the bed. I un-strapped my knee brace so my knee could air out and I heard a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I said.

“All dressed?” Brian asked me peeking his head through with his eyes closed tight. I laughed and told him to come in. He turned off the light and climbed into bed, being careful not hit my leg.

“Bri?”
“Yeah?” he asked.

“You’re Nick’s best friend…and I appreciate for everything you’re doing but I’m a big girl and I just—” Brian turned and faced me.

“I love him but I love you too and you’re going through just a little more than he is right now and I don’t want you to have to worry about anything but just heeling; emotionally and physically. Look at you, I mean you have been through so much these past months and the unthinkable the last 48 hours and you’re worried about the guy who hurt you.”

As Brian said these words to me I felt myself getting choked up again, I swallowed a lump in my throat and let out an unsteady sigh. As I did this, Brian could sense I was getting upset and pulled me into him.

“I’m here, use me,” he whispered into my ear and kissed my head.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Amber’s POV~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It wasn’t supposed to go this way; I was supposed to be with him right now.

“I’m sorry Boss, I just thought if I did a little more than slip her a roofie in her drink it would scare her, no on caught me they don’t know it was you,” Billy Amber’s sidekick you could say said over the phone.

“You idiot, do you know what could’ve happened?!”

“I don’t think you will have to worry about her though, that should show her to stay away from your love Boss,” he bellowed.

“I hear she won’t take him back anyway, he’ll come back to me, and I’ll just have to give it some time. You on the other hand, make yourself scarce; go back to New York for a while. I’ll call you if I need anything else. We have them both where we want them.”

“Okay Boss, bye bye.”
~*~*~*~*~Hailey’s POV*~*~*~*~*~*~
I lay in Brian’s arms, staring into the dark, replaying the previous night’s events. I shivered and pulled Brian’s arm tighter around my waist. It felt good to be able to be in the arms of someone I could trust; there was no one more in the world that I could I feel safe with at that moment. Brian gave me a small squeeze to reassure he was here and more than just physically.

That morning I woke up, or I should say got out of bed at seven am. I couldn’t sleep any longer and maybe got a total of three hours. I didn’t like the dark even though Brian was right there. I looked down at him as I started to get dressed, he slept peacefully and I smiled as I noticed how ruffled his sandy blonde hair was. I went down the hall to where the computer was and went on the internet. I began looking for flights that would take me back home. There was a flight going out at five pm and one left that would be leaving tomorrow at eleven am.

“Going home today or tomorrow?” I jumped a little at A.J.’s voice and set a cup of tea next to me. “I know you don’t like coffee, so here is some green tea.” He took a seat next to me.

“Thank you,” I smiled up at him. “And yeah, I just need to go back home and get away from all the crazyness.”

“You know you are more than welcome to stay here for as long as you need Hailey. I mean is it good for you to be taking off on your own so soon?”

“I’ll be fine and I appreciate everything that you have done for me. It’s just time.” I took a sip from the steaming tea.
“Let me know when you’ll need a ride. I have to um go, go do some errands,” A.J. stood up from the chair a kissed the top of my head and I nodded. I took my credit card out of my purse and finished booking my flight.

~*~*~*~*~Nick’s POV~*~*~*~*~

I hadn’t been to bed yet, only sat in my chair in the dark all night thinking of different ways to get Hailey back. How do you regain the trust that took so long to build and mend the heart of the one you were in love with, when you broke it? Maybe I should just leave her alone; I don’t deserve such an amazing woman like her. My stomach was in knots and I hadn’t been able to eat anything since that morning. Amber had called me last night and I told her that I could no longer even be her friend.

I fiddled with my cell in my hand debating on trying to call Hailey again or not, her phone would most likely still be off. I tilted my head back trying to keep the tears back but they were once again uncontrollable and I let them fall freely and untouched for the next couple of hours.

~*~*~*~*~Brian’s POV~*~*~*~*~*

I woke up to the empty side of the bed where Hailey should’ve been. I looked at my watch and it read nine o’clock. I was surprised at the fact she was up already. I took a quick shower and went downstairs.

“Morning Brian,” Trish said sitting at the kitchen counter reading the newspaper.

“Good morning,” I smiled at her and looked around the corner into the living room.

“She’s outside on the porch; she’s been there since I got up at eight. She doesn’t look well Bri.” I only nodded my head and went outside. It was raining but something that California needed desperately right now. Hailey sat in a wicker rocking chair, her right leg up on a foot stool and left knee tucked up to her chin.

“Hey you,” I said sitting in the chair next to her.

“Hi B,” her eyes stayed set onto the open lawn. Trisha was right, she didn’t look well. She had dark circles under her eyes and her normally tanned skin looked pale. Her once dancing blue eyes looked gray, as though she weren’t alive.

“Been up long?” I asked looking out into the rain with her.

“Got up at seven,” her voice was soft.

“Have you been out here since?” I asked trying to meet her eyes.

“I booked a flight home.”

“Oh,” was all I could say at first. “For when?”

“Tonight.”

“Hailes…”

“I need to go tonight,” she cut my words off. I didn’t say anything knowing that there was not changing her mind and that going home was probably best for her at this point. “Brian I have to…my things…” She tried to get the words out.

“I’ll get them for you,” I stood up and went next to her chair kneeling down. “Did you talk to your brother about any of this yet?” Her eyes finally met mine and she shook her head no.
“He doesn’t need to know, he’s had to worry about me for too long.” She looked away and back into the rain. I still wondered about her and her brother and her parents. She never talked about them and I remember Nick telling me how she would always change subjects when he would try to talk about it.

“Hailey I don’t think keeping this to yourself is the best thing,” I took her hand in mine. She pulled it away quickly.

“You don’t know what’s best for me Brian,” she snapped and I was taken back. Her head dropped and she put her face in her hands.

“I-I’m sorry, I just didn’t sleep at all,” her voice cracked and she brushed away tears that had fallen.

“Shh, I know,” I wrapped my arms around her and I felt her try to resist at first and then gave in. “Come on, why don’t you try to get a little more sleep and I’ll go get your things for you and we’ll go out to brunch later.” She slowly nodded her head, picked her leg up off the stool and set it down, I handed her the crutches and helped her up.

*~*~*~*~*~*~Nick’s House*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I knocked on Nick’s door and rang his door bell. When he didn’t’ answer I took my own key out and let myself in. I had this eerie feeling when I walked into the house. The lights were off and no sound could be heard.

“Nick?” I called out. “Nick it’s Brian, I know you’re home.” I checked the living room and kitchen. “Nick?!” I yelled going up the stairs. I went to the last door on the left where his room was and knocked on the door. “You in there?” I turned the door knob slowly and opened the door. “Nick?” His bed was empty and I looked around the room. I was about to leave when I saw a spout of blonde hair from a chair that faced the window. I walked up to the chair slowly, for some reason I had knots in my stomach. Nick was lying in the chair, arms sprawled over the arm rests and eyes closed. My heart started racing and I felt for Nick’s pulse.

“Brian?” Nick’s voice was hoarse.

“Jesus Nick,” I let out a huge sigh. “I thought you were—” I couldn’t even get the last of my sentence out. “How are you doing?”

“Fabulous you?” He said sarcastically and sat up rubbing his neck.

“I’m alright. Did you sleep her all night?”

“I’ve been in this chair for probably over 24 hours but been asleep for about an hour. What are you doing here?”

“Well, one to check on you and two to get her things.” Nick’s eyes shut tight and he nodded his head.

“Is she leaving?” His eyes remained shut.

“Tonight. She’s not doing well here at all. I think its best.” I paused for a moment. “I think she’s had as much sleep as you. When she does sleep she has nightmares.”

“Do you know what of?”

“Her attacker.”

“It should be me being there for her.”

“I know man…”

“I don’t deserve to live…” his voice trailed off.

“Don’t you EVER say that Nick, do you hear me?! EVER!”

“I don’t though, she was the one Bri and I @#%$ up.” Tears dropped from his blood shot eyes and I felt sorry for my best friend. I placed my hand on his shoulder. “And here I am crying feeling sorry for myself when I don’t even deserve that. She doesn’t even feel safe and who knows if she will again?”

“Time Nick, just give everything some time. I have to get her stuff packed and then head out.”

“Will you give her something for me?” Nick looked up at me. He looked like a lost child and my heart went out for him.

“Of course.” Nick stood up and went to his night stand where he pulled out an envelope and handed it to me.

“I’m sorry Brian, I’m so sorry,” Nick sat on the edge of his bed and began to sob again. I was extremely worried about him at this point and was afraid to leave him. I stepped out of the room and took my cell phone out of my back pocket.

“A.J.? Hey man, look do you think you can come over to Nick’s and hang for a while? He’s just, I’m worried about him…I know what he did was stupid but the kid is talking about killing himself…yes…okay I’m just going to get the rest of Hailey’s things and then head out, her flight leaves tonight at five so I have to take one of your cars…thanks…later man.” I hung up the phone and went back into Nick’s room where he had already began putting Hailey’s things into a bag. I watched as he gingerly packed a few of her shirts and packed other belongings in.

“That should be it. If I find anything else I’ll mail them.” His head hung low and he ran a hand through his hair.

“I’ll be over tonight after I bring her to the airport. Hang in there okay Nick?” I pulled him in for a hug. It brought me back to a time when we first started or first tour as the Backstreet Boys and how homesick Nick was.

“I want to home Brian, I don’t want to do this.”

“Nick, you’re just scared and homesick. Do you love when we’re on stage?”

“Yeah but every other time just…sucks.”

“It will get better, give it time. I’m here too and pretty soon you’ll be thinking of me like your very own brother.”

“I already do.” Nick pulled me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me as though I were all he had.

“It’s going to be okay Fack.”

“I know Frick thanks.”

“You will be?” Nick's voice brought me out of my day dream.

“Of course Nick, why do you act surprised?”

“Because I screwed up and the way you’ve been with Hailes…it just seemed as though you hated me.”

“Nick, you’ve screwed up many other times before this and I never have once even though of hating you. You know that she just needed a little extra support after everything she has been through, you know of everyone that she’s not one to open up.” Nick nodded his head. “I’ll call you when I’m on my way over.” I picked the bag off of the bed and walked out the door with the envelope in hand.

Hailey’s POV

“So you will call me when you get home?” Brian asked me for the tenth time.

“Yes B, I promise.”

“I’m going to come visit you in a couple weeks okay?”

“I’d like that. Thank you for everything Bri..I don’t know what I would’ve done or if I’d even be here.”

“You would be here if I weren’t. You’re a strong person, don’t you ever forget that.”

“I’m going to miss you.”

“No, you won’t. You’ll get sick of me calling you every hour.”

“Now boarding Charleston, South Carolina.” The announcer came over the speakers.

“That’s me.” I shrugged my shoulders. Brian pulled me in for a hug.

“If you need me to fly down, I’m just a call away.” He kissed my cheek. “Here read this on the plane.” He stuck an envelope in my backpack.

“Love you B.”

“Love you.” I walked down the terminal wanting to cry and to run back to Brian…where it felt safe, ask him to take me to Nick. A flight attendant helped me to my seat and took my crutches to store them away in the cargo area. I buckled my seat belt and took out the envelope Brian had given me. My name was written in the middle and I knew right away it was Nick’s hand writing. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath as I opened it up.

Hailes,

This is my hundredth time attempting to write you this letter. I think I’ve gone through a whole stack of paper but I just can’t get seem to get out the perfect words for such a perfect person like you. Where do I start after all this? I love you? I think you still know deep down in your heart that I truly do love you. I miss you? Yes, it’s undeniable that I miss you because the dark circles under my eyes show the lack of sleep and endless thinking of you. I don’t miss you because I can’t have you right now, I miss you for all of the reasons I’d miss you even if you were only gone for a day.

I Nickolas Gene Carter screwed up. No doubt to that and I could take this time and write about how if I could turn back time, I’d do things differently that night and would have never left you. But I can’t and I can’t take back the pain I have caused you. I can’t take back the fact that I can’t be there for you during this unbelievable hard time you’re going through and the fact that Brian is there for you and I’m not only gives me a tenth of peacefulness.

That night, with Amber, it meant nothing to me and there is nothing I can do or say to prove it to you. I can say it over and over and fill your room with roses and write you a song to try to win your heart back but I know you and you’re not a sucker for that kind of stuff. You needed me the most that night and I wasn’t there. That night with you however, did mean everything. To hear you sing and play the guitar filled me with such happiness and at that moment I knew…I knew that you were and are the woman for me Hailey. I however now do not deserve you and I’ve cried a night of endless tears and my heart shatters just a little more whenever I smell you on my pillows or see your things around my house…my house that felt like ours.

If its time and space that you need, its yours. If its me being there for you, all you have to do is ask. You have been gone for only a day and it feels like eternity. I feel like that Bloom guy in the third Pirates, how I won’t be able to see you for ten years. But for love, I’d wait. I’m not going to give up, not now nor ever. I’ll wait forever.

Hailey Marie, I love you, I loved you before I knew you, I loved you when we were together and I will forever love you even if you’re not in my arms.

Take care of yourself.

Love always,

Nickolas

Ch. 40

I don’t remember how many times I read the letter before I got into South Carolina. I think read it over and over until the plane landed, not sleeping a wink. Before getting off the plane I shoved the letter back into my backpack.

“HAILEY!” it was my best friend from home Kara.

“Kare bear!” we hugged each other and went to baggage claim.

“You look good girl…considering, well, you know.” Her voice trailed off and I knew was being careful.

“I’m not glass, I wont break, that bag is mine,” I pointed to the maroon suitcase. She took it off the belt and we headed out to her car.

“Are you okay with walking and everything? I didn’t exactly get a close spot.”

“Nah I’m fine, it’s good for me.”

“So, back to your place or mine?”

“I’d kinda like to go home, you didn’t tell Nathan about everything did you?”

“No, but he’s going to wonder about your knee, especially if you need another surgery.”

“That will be no problem, telling him about the accident I had while playing basketball or something.” We made it to her Explorer and got in.

“Has Nick tried contacting you?” Kara asked starting up the SUV.

“He wrote me a letter…”

“Confessing how sorry he was and his love for you?”

“Yeah but they’re only words. I’m done and moving on. I won’t put myself in a relationship like that again. Me being away, he’ll forget about me and everything, no big deal.” Kara squeezed my hand and drove me home.
Once inside, I went to my room and began sorting my clothes for laundry. As I unloaded my backpack I came across the letter again.

“Goodbye Nick,” I tossed the letter into the trash and finished unpacking.

“Hey you alright?” Kara asked taking a seat on my bed.

“You know what? I’m going to be. Back home, back to before the tour, it’s going to be alright.” It’s going to be alright.

The End

Dear Katie,

I know it has been forever since we’ve spoken, I didn’t leave with my head on straight and I abandoned our friendship but I’m finally getting my life back together and I miss you like crazy. Our brief conversation on the internet didn’t really do it for me and thus I am writing you this email.

It’s been five months, today, that has passed since I left my crazy life in California. Nick called me once a week, every Sunday at three o’clock noon sharp. Emails were written to me every two days, text messages were sent late at nights. I stopped listening after the first month, I couldn’t bear to listen to his voice, and I still wasn’t sure if it was because I was angry with him or because I missed him. I erased every voicemail, deleted every email. Somewhere in there I think okay I know I deleted your messages, I just wanted all of that to be gone, and seeing you brought back some hard but good memories. No excuse though, I royally suck as a friend.

Brian came to see me a couple weeks after I had left, he came to make sure that my knee surgery went smoothly and it did. I have to always wear a knee brace now when I am working out but I could deal. I went and saw Brian last week and Bailey. The divorce was almost final between him and Leigh but the two were still remaining friends and he was finally happy. He told me the Backstreet Boys were going to finish their tour in about two months but it would be Kevin’s last tour with the group.

So how is Nick? You think I would know because his best friend being my best friend and all…well, Brian and I have agreed not talk about he who should not be named. It’s not that I don’t care, because that is far from the truth. Truth is I still kinda love him and he’s the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last when I go to bed. I know you know what it is like to love and lose, you’re off in Europe dancing and had to leave Howie. Brian told me that D misses you and that he like Nick has tried to contact you but you and I are just two of the hardest people to reach.

Are you going to be doing the end of the tour? I know Fatima has called me a bunch of times to get me to come back and finish and she’s tried to reach you. I can’t because well, first my knee just won’t allow it and second I don’t think my heart is strong enough yet.

Let me know as soon as you’re coming back home and I will come see you or you can come here. I have a different job these days, I’m not longer a nurse but doing something that was my first love…gymnastics. No not dong obviously, but coaching. I love it beyond belief and it helps keep my now ass that I actually have in shape.

I truly hope all is well with you. You will always be one of my bestest. Miss and love you.

Hails*

I sent the email to Katie and was about to close out of the internet when I saw I had one new message. I clicked on open and read it.

To: Gymgrl16@hotmail.com
From: NicksOnly1@yahoo.com

I believe you deleted the last three emails I sent you, I sent one each month since you’ve been back home and away from the man who is mine. So, I figured one more try before tying something else.

I just want to thank you for finally seeing things from my point…you and the tall blonde are not meant to be.

I hear you are doing well though and are recovering from my partner’s entourage. Oh you didn’t actually think that big buffoon was who was stalking you, no the guy wasn’t gay just part of my little scheme.

So, you’re thinking, you have what you want so why are you still contacting me right? Well, see thing is I don’t exactly have what I want because Nicky pooh can’t seem to get over your sorry ass. I know you have this thing with Brian that you don’t ask/don’t tell but maybe you should ask because Nick is barely hanging on by a thread and is no good to me.

I wonder if I’ll get to see you on the tour…and it’s not in two months anymore it’s pushed back for another three.

Talk to you soon my dear. Real soon.

XoX